Jamaica-Cuba Eye Care Programme to continue until March 20 with limited services

Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton has announced that the Jamaica-Cuba Eye Care Programme will continue until March 20, but services will be limited to surgery and post-operative care.

Providing the update at a press briefing today, Dr. Tufton said patients who already have appointments will still receive care and post-surgery follow-up services will continue until that date.

Earlier this morning, several people gathered outside St. Joseph’s Hospital in Kingston, reportedly hoping to be attended to before the Cuban medical team leaves the country.

The development follows the government’s decision to discontinue the current arrangement for the technical cooperation agreement relating to the deployment of Cuban medical professionals in the public health sector.

Highlighting the benefits of the programme, which is led by Cuban medical personnel, Dr. Tufton said it has been highly beneficial to citizens.

He emphasized that the government’s intention is not to discontinue the programme immediately, but to work with the existing team until the March 20 cut-off while exploring alternative arrangements thereafter.

Meanwhile, Dr. Tufton said arrangements are being put in place to address existing gaps quickly and implement solutions to manage shortages.

As a short-term measure, he noted that the ministry will maintain critical services by using overtime and redeploying staff from low-demand areas to higher-demand areas.

A plan is also in place to manage overcrowding and some services will be outsourced to the private sector.