The ‘I Can See Clearly’ vision project is having an impact not just on the vision care of the nation’s youth but other important health factors. Ophthalmologist, Dr Hazel Shillingford-Ricketts revealed that the screening provided to over 14,000 students can be used to collect imperative data on determining the prevalence of obesity in schools.
“The results of the data will guide health policies and programmes for school children both in eye care and obesity management,” she said.
She was speaking at a ceremony to welcome five Cuban doctors who are on island to assist with the second screening aspect of the one-time programmed.
Dr. Shillingford-Ricketts urged parents to allow their children to take advantage of this medical care as data collected can assist in the overall understanding of the health status of their children.
Hon Minister for Health Dr Kenneth Darroux, echoed similar sentiments noting that the project allows for all students to be afforded an equal opportunity in their educational journey.
“What we have realized is that some of our students who were classified as slow learners and never really achieved their full potential, they were not really slow learners in terms of their cognitive processes but because of visual problems…We are hoping that each and everyone is going to be given a fair chance.”