By Anselma Aimable
Caribbean Net News St Lucia Correspondent
Email: anselma@caribbeannetnews.com

CASTRIES, St Lucia: The Victoria Hospital in St Lucia will be presented with new ophthalmic equipment from the regional and other partners of the Saint Lucia Blind Welfare Association (SLBWA.) Executive Director of the Association, Anthony Avril said the gesture is as a result of the government signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Association in 2004.

The Caribbean Council for the Blind supported the St Lucia Blind Welfare Association with assistance from Sight Savers International and other agencies and they have committed to supplying ophthalmic equipment to Victoria Hospital.

The equipment will assist in strengthening the eye care program at that institution and the national eye care program on the island. Avril says it brings satisfaction to know that the hospital's service delivery will be strengthened, thus ensuring better eye care for the public.

On June 27, 2007, Executive Director of the Caribbean Council for the Blind, Arvel Grant, and the consultant to PAHO and WHO, Dr Juan Carlos Silver ,will be presenting the diagnostic, surgical equipment and medical consumables to the Victoria Hospital.

In the meantime the Cuban Government has pledged to assist in the establishment of a state-of-the-art regional eye care facility in St Lucia.