England-based Dr Hubbe and team return to Nevis to provide free cataract surgeries

Minister of Health of Nevis, Jahnel Nisbett, welcomed Northampton, England-based Dr Hubbe and his team back to the Nevis Eye Clinic

Wednesday, 1st May 2024

England-based Dr Hubbe and team return to Nevis to provide free cataract surgeries
(PC - Facebook)

St Kitts and Nevis: Minister of Health of Nevis, Jahnel Nisbett, welcomed Northampton, England-based Dr Hubbe and his team back to the Nevis Eye Clinic. The visiting contingent provided 29 cataract surgeries free of cost last year and aims to offer the same benefit to 30 other individuals on the island. The Nevis Eye Clinic is operated at the Alexandra Hospital in Charlestown and works to solve problems of people dealing with sight issues. While sharing the development on her official Facebook account, Minister Nisbett said, “We were able to engage in a discussion on how the programme has progressed over the years as well as plans not only to sustain but to expand the programme as well.” During the meeting, Dr Ray Hubbe said that there are over 150 patients on the waioting list for cataract surgery at the present time and each year around 70 to 80 people on the island develop this issue which significantly affect their vision. The Minister said that last November, the visiting contingent was able to provide 29 cataract surgeries free of cost to Nevisians, saving them $400 in Operating Theatre fees. This cycle will see another 30 individuals on Nevis benefitting from general cataract surgeries and 4 benefitting from oculoplastic surgery. Some patients in need on St. Kitts will also reap the benefits of oculoplastic surgeries. Last year, the surgeries were made possible through donations during a fund raising campaign in Nevis which generated USD $50,026.49 of money. The amount was enough to buy the cataract removal device and purchase some future supplies. On behalf of the Ministry of Health, Jahnel Nisbett extended its profound gratitude to the team of visiting professionals including Dr Lisa Lin (Oculoplastic surgery), Dr. Suzanne Freitag (Oculoplastic surgery - Professor at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary which is part of Harvard.), Dr. Catherine Smoot-Hasselnus ( General ophthalmology), Ron Hasselnus ( Administrator), Dr. Ray Hubbe ( Ophthalmologist and Cornea Specialist) , and Ginger Burn (Research). She also thanked the local team of nurses without whom this program could not have been facilitated. In addition to this, she vowed that the Ministry will continue to invest in equipment, medication and subsidizing some costs associated with this program, however, it cannot begin to express their gratitude to the donors who continue to donate to this programme.