Two Hundred cataract patients are set to benefit from the Bright Journey Medical Mission

Cataract is the number-one cause of blindness in Jamaica and, thanks to the Bright Journey Medical Mission, 200 cataract patients are set to receive free surgical care from the Chinese Medical Mission.

Horace Dalley, minister with responsibility for the Public Service in the Ministry of Finance and Planning expressed his gratitude to the People's Republic of China during the opening ceremony, May 18, at Kingston Public Hospital.

He said, "on behalf of the Government of Jamaica I want to thank the People's Republic of China, through the Beijing Health and Family Commission, for their generosity of spirit and for displaying the true meaning of selflessness. I have no doubt that this mission will be successful and rewarding on both sides," Dalley said.

"This is a wonderful gift to the people of Jamaica and we applaud the spirit of volunteerism and kindness," he added.

The 18-member team of the Bright Journey Medical Mission, which includes six medical doctors and two nurses, will be in Jamaica from May 18 to 28, to conduct cataract-surgery clinic activities.Mission will also incorporate an educational component, through seminars and symposia, to allow for sharing of information and best practices among the Chinese team and its Jamaican counterparts at the Kingston Public Hospital.

Minister Horace Dalley was speaking on behalf of Minister of Health Dr Fenton Ferguson, who is currently participating in the Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting and the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.