There is a backlog of 700 people for cataract surgeries and a waiting list of 1 800 people seeking CT scans at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH).
This was revealed by Minister of Health Ian Gooding-Edghill yesterday in the House of Assembly, noting that the situation warranted urgent action.
“I’ve already signalled to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital that overdue surgeries will have to be brought up to date. To this end we’re devising plans on how to address and reduce this backlog,” the Minister stated.
Part of the solution on the cataract issue is greater collaboration with Cuba where a number of Barbadians have received vision changing surgeries in the past. In addition, said Gooding-Edghill, the out-of-use Lions Eye Centre must be put back into operation to help those who cannot afford private eye surgeries. (AC)
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