Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer
Dr. Albert Lue - RICARDO MAKYN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
FOLLOWING DR. Albert Lue's revelation in May that the eyesight of several persons in the Cuban Miracle Eyecare Programme had deteriorated six months after they were treated, the programme was placed under the microscope.
Dr. Lue, a senior ophthalmologist at the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH), said 14 of the 60 patients who returned to Jamaica late last year experienced 'serious corneal damage'. At least three of them, he said, were visually impaired.
Their dilemma drove Dr. Lue to question the competence of ophthalmologists involved with the programme.
"My initial feeling, and I still don't feel I'm wrong, is they are interns learning on our patients," Dr. Lue told The Gleaner last week. "I believe they were left unsupervised and that's what I'm angry about."
After some patients told their story to the media, Health Minister Horace Dalley led a delegation of Jamaican doctors to Cuba for an inspection of three facilities where Jamaicans were operated on.
GOOD PROGNOSIS
Although the general prognosis was good, the team reported that there were question marks about one of the centres. "I do not think our patients are in harm's way," said Dr. Alverston Bailey, president of the Medical Assoiation of Jamaica, who accompanied Mr. Dalley to Cuba.
The programme will continue, with Cuba sending two senior ophthalmologists to Jamaica to examine the affected patients.
Dr. Lue, who says he was criticised by administrators at the Ministry of Health for his statements in May, feels he has been vindicated.
"I am happy that the Cubans have recognised and acknow-ledged that there is a problem and they have done their corrective measures," said Dr. Lue. "We at the KPH should let poor people know that there is a chance that your eyes when you get on the plane that their eyes may get damaged."
Since he started working at the KPH as an intern from the University of the West Indies 17 years ago, the St. Mary-born Lue says the profile of eye patients has not changed much. Most of them are poor and from rural areas; they become eligible for the Miracle Eyecare Programme after examination at the KPH, the Mandeville Regional Hospital in Manchester or the Cornwall Regional Hospital in St. James.
The Miracle Eyecare Programme scenario has also brought local eye care into focus. Dr. Lue, who has operated a private practice for 10 years, says treatment in Jamaica is costly, especially when compared to Cuba where patients are not required to pay for travel, accommodation or operation.
He says the Jamaican ophthalmologist faces several challenges including a shortage of nurses and equipment. With government assistance, he believes Jamaicans can receive proper treatment at home.
"We have enough good ophthalmologists to do this work. They (patients) don't have to be going to Cuba," he said.
