Robert Lalah, Staff Reporter
Diann Edwards (left) and Raymond Sterling are gleeful when they returned to Jamaica from Cuba yesterday. The two were among 23 persons who travelled to Cuba under the 'Miracle Operation' programme, which allows Jamaicans with serious eye problems to travel to Venezuela and Cuba for free treatment. - RUDOLPH BROWN/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
IN AN eye-popping display of gratitude, 23 Jamaicans yesterday went wild with excited shouting and hand waving to celebrate being able to see again; some having been completely blind for more than a decade!
Miracle you say? Indeed! The group was the first to travel to Cuba on the 'Miracle Operation' programme which allows Jamaicans with serious eye problems to visit Cuba or Venezuela free of charge, to receive - yes - free treatment from those nations' top ophthalmologists.
IMPROVING EYE TREATMENT
The programme aims to improve eye treatment in Latin America and the Caribbean, courtesy of an agreement brokered between the governments of Cuba and Venezuela.
When the patients returned to the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston after spending a week in Cuba, the scene was spectacular and their stories were absolute tear-jerkers.
Raymond Sterling, one of the patients, was so moved by the entire spectacle that he got up and gave an impromptu speech. "I am a construction worker and believe me, the level was becoming unlevel. I just want to say thanks to the Cuban Government and the Ministry of Health for allowing this to happen," he said as trickles of tears started to fall from his now fully functional eyes.
Mr. Sterling, who is from downtown Kingston, told The Gleaner that because he has cataracts, all he had been able to see for the past 10 years was "a big white dot". But now ... "I can see again. Very clearly!"
Cuban Ambassador Gisela Garcia Rivera was on hand to greet the patients. She said the programme was so far
going well and noted that the Cuban Government is always willing to help.
"We have the passion for it and we have the state-of-the-art equipment. We are able to help, so why not?" she said.
ANOTHER GROUP TO LEAVE
As this group returned, another 23 persons were waiting to leave for Cuba to have their treatment done.
Diann Edwards also got her eyesight back after being operated on by the doctors in Cuba whom she calls angels.
"I've had terrible cataracts for 15 years and have not seen anything from my right eye in all that time. I can see now and I cannot tell you how good I feel. I am so happy. It is a miracle, no matter what anyone thinks" she said, choking up on her final words.
So if you don't think 23 people regaining their eyesight is a miracle, don't say so around Diann Edwards. And remember she's watching you - with both eyes!
Call for assessment
Cuban doctors will be at the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) on Thursday to assess patients. For further information on the programme contact the Ministry of Health. Tel: 922-6084; 922-4877; 948-1542; 967-1094.
