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Contact:
Primus Hutchinson
Monday, October 18, 2004 - Visually impaired persons island-wide will
soon be aided with better eye-care services as a result of a Memorandum of
Understanding signed on Monday, October 18 between the Government of Saint Lucia
via the Ministry of Health, Human Services, Family Affairs and Gender Relations,
and the St. Lucia Blind Welfare Association.
Executive Director of the St. Lucia Blind Welfare Association, Anthony Avril
said the initiative taken by St. Lucia was an indication of its commitment to
upholding the goal of Vision 20-20, which is the elimination of avoidable
blindness.
Mr. Avril however, expressed concern over two key issues, which he said required
prompt attention, if the needs of the visually impaired are to be addressed
satisfactorily.
In commending the Government and in particular, the Ministry of Health and Human
Services for joining his association in the exercise, Mr. Avril stressed that
while the elimination of avoidable blindness was a major objective of the
initiative, the provision of adequate services for those whose blindness are
irreversible was equally important.
Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Human Services, Family
Affairs and Gender Relations, Honourable Jon Odlum, said his Ministry was
concerned about the plight of the visually impaired, and had already begun the
preliminary process to address their needs.
“At last we seem to see a little clearer, what we are working at and this MOU is
full evidence of what we have done and what we intend to do”, Mr. Odlum said. He
assured that the Ministry of Health and the Government of Saint Lucia would
comply fully, in assisting the blind.
Signing on behalf of the St. Lucia Blind Welfare Association was President,
Anthony Louis, while Permanent Secretary Mr. Fedelis William signed on behalf
for the Ministry of Health. Mr. Odlum also acknowledged the presence of
representatives of the Lions Club at the signing.
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