Cabinet Supports Free Eye-Surgery Mission Scheduled for October

Cabinet has approved government support for a specialised eye-care mission that will provide treatment and surgical services to patients in Antigua and Barbuda free of cost.

The Antigua and Barbuda Cure Blindness Project mission will take place from October 25 to 30 through a collaboration involving the Ministry of Health, the Trinidad Eye Hospital and Cure Blindness Project.

Health Minister Michael Joseph presented the proposal to Cabinet during its meeting on Wednesday.

The mission will provide surgical expertise, medical supplies, specialised equipment and other resources needed to deliver high-volume eye-care services.

Dr Matthew Oliva will volunteer his services as a surgeon during the programme.

Cabinet said the initiative forms part of the Government’s broader campaign to reduce preventable blindness and expand access to specialist eye care.

Earlier in 2026, specialists from the Trinidad Eye Hospital were expected to perform more than 400 surgeries under a partnership involving the Ministry of Health, Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre and the Medical Benefits Scheme.

The programme was also expanded to provide eye examinations and screenings for approximately 10,000 primary and secondary school students. Those screenings are continuing.

The Government’s national eye-health programme includes screenings, corrective glasses, surgical treatment, specialist training and community-based services.

Antigua and Barbuda is also pursuing its “Blind Free Zone” initiative with international partners. The programme includes plans for community eye-care centres and specialised training for local nurses at the Aravind Eye Hospital in India.

Approximately US$90,000 in ophthalmic equipment has already been secured to support that initiative.

The Government has also partnered with Cure Blindness Project, RestoringVision and VisionSpring under the Prime Ministerial Vision Initiative. In March, Antigua and Barbuda secured 25,000 near-vision glasses for distribution to people with correctable vision impairment.

Cabinet said the October mission will ensure that access to specialised treatment is not determined by a patient’s ability to pay.