Dr. William Brown (left), first vice-president of the Medical Association of Jamaica (MAJ), looks on as president, Dr. Alverston Bailey, addresses the media at a press conference to announce their upcoming symposium at the headquarters of the MAJ on Windsor Avenue, St. Andrew, yesterday. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

THE increase in glaucoma cases and child abuse is among the issues which the Medical Association of Jamaica (MAJ) will focus on during its week-long symposium, which starts Sunday with a church service at the Webster Memorial Church in Kingston.

President of the MAJ, Dr. Alverston Bailey, said yesterday that glaucoma has joined the growing list of 'silent' diseases affecting Jamaicans. He said the MAJ is looking at new methods to help prevent this debilitating disease of the eye from worsening.

"One rarely recognises that one has glaucoma until one goes blind, so we are actually proposing that glaucoma be included as a part of your annual medical screening so it can be identified early and treated early," Dr. Bailey said during a press conference at the MAJ's Windsor Avenue headquarters in St. Andrew.

The 'Eyes Have It' is the theme of the week's first session, on June 8 at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel. A panel of specialists, including Dr. Donovan Calder, will look at the causes and treatments for ailments like glaucoma and diabetes.

Reducing child abuse

Dr. Bailey also said the MAJ is examining ways in which the medical community can assist in reducing the incidence of child abuse.

Many physicians who treat victims, he noted, are bound by doctor/patient confidentiality and do not report cases of abuse to the authorities. He said this is "particularly anxious" for them.

"They are concerned about giving out information on persons' health issues to a government institution," he said. "This is a matter which theMedical Council has been asked to look into because we are now obliged to report all cases of sexual abuse to the Child Registry."

A comprehensive look at child abuse in Jamaica will take place under the banner, 'Sex, Lies and Quality Care', at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel on June 10.

Other topics and dates for the MAJ symposium are: Critical Care: Beyond the Boundary and More Than Skin Deep on June 8; Gynaecological Solutions: Back to Basics, and Radio-oncology, and Rheumatology: Pain No Gain on June 9; Surgical Potpourri: Saving Lives, Limbs and Tissues on the afternoon of June 10, will close the symposium.

All seminars are scheduled for the Jamaica Pegasus hotel.