The Ministry of Health and Environment and the Government of Dominica hosted the CEO of the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust , Dr Astrid Bonfield from June 5 to 7, 2016.
The Trust CEO was here to view first hand programmes funded by the TRUST . While on island she visited the Diabetic Retinopathy Screening and Treatment Programme at the Eye Clinic, Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) ) and held meetings with the Hon. Minister for Health, the Permanent Secretary and senior health officials to include members of the Management Advisory Committee of the programme . She also met with the Trust’s Country Representative Mr. Reginald Winston and Ms Tina Alfred, Dominica’s new awardee of the Queen’s Young Leaders programme
The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust is a charitable foundation established in 2012 to mark and celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s sixty-year contribution to the Commonwealth.
Its mission is to enrich the lives of people from all backgrounds within the Commonwealth by working with partners towards eliminating avoidable blindness and empowering a new generation of young leaders.
The Diabetic Retinopathy Screening and Treatment Programme is one of the programmes funded by the TRUST through the Caribbean Council for the Blind to the tune of over £1.3 million in Dominica, Jamaica, St. Lucia and Belize.
Dominica’s Diabetic Retinopathy Fundus Photography Screening Programme headed by Ophthalmologist Dr Hazel Shillingford- Ricketts begun in 2000 with limited coverage of diabetic patients.
In 2005 a pilot project to screen for diabetic retinopathy with digital fundus photography was implemented with funds provided by Pan American Health Organization in collaboration with the Caribbean Council for the Blind and Sight Savers.
In 2014 the Diabetic Retinopathy Fundus Photography Screening and Treatment Programme was expanded through the receipt of funds from the Queen’s Jubilee Trust. Under the Trust, Dominica received one fundus digital camera for screening, laser equipment for treatment, and funds for provision of administrative support. support and for educational programmes.
The Diabetic Retinopathy Screening and Treatment Programme comprises of one fixed screening site located at the eye clinic, Princess Margaret Hospital to cover the Roseau Health District and the mobile screening unit to cover the remaining six Primary Health Districts .
Screening at Princess Margaret Hospital started in April 2016. Two hundred and forty five diabetics have been screened, and 27 were referred for further evaluation and management by the Ophthalmologist, Dr. Hazel Shillingford-Ricketts. Laser surgery is provided as needed. In the four years of the programme a total of 18,654 screening events are targeted to be performed.
Dr Bonfield was briefed about the status of the programme, heard testimonies of patients and witnessed fundus photography taken with the mobile camera and the fixed camera at the eye clinic.
The CEO says of her visit, “I have rarely felt such warm hospitality anywhere else. I am very impressed with what I have seen. This is absolutely first grade work. I am really excited about the plans of all the work that Dr Ricketts is doing—taking it to the people.” Dr Bonfield applauded the work of the eye team of the Ministry of Health. She stated , “I think you can be a leader , showing how this kind of programme can genuinely transform the lives of the citizens of Dominica, the Caribbean and right across the Commonwealth.”
Acting Hon Health Minister Ivor Stephenson, expressed tremendous thanks to the Trust for its support, bearing in mind the exorbitant cost that can be incurred for eye treatment and surgeries . He alluded the need for sustainability , and pledged the government’s support for the successful implementation of the project”
Helen Royer , Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Environment noted” “Diabetic Retinopathy is an issue for us in Dominica, notwithstanding the tremendous work that has been done by the small eye team, we have seen incredible efforts and there is need for continued support in this area. Therefore the Ministry is grateful for the support.” She further stated that all activities outlined in the eye programme are consistent with that of the Ministry of Health and Environment national goals in addressing the broader problems of NCDs. Permanent Secretary Royer, commended the Ophthalmologist Consultant and her team for their relentless efforts .
The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust funded Diabetic Retinopathy Screening and Treatment Programme is in its second year and Ophthalmologist, Dr Hazel Shillingford- Ricketts outlines the significance and impact of the programme.
“Diabetic retinopathy is the complication of diabetes mellitus in the eye. In Dominica it is estimated that there are over 7,700 diabetics. About a third of all diabetics have diabetic retinopathy. Most of them are not aware that their eyes are affected with sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy.
Therefore early detection by fundus photography will result in early treatment with laser and prevention of blindness in 90% of cases.
The significance of this programme is that diabetics don’t have to wait a year to have their eyes examined by the ophthalmologist through the regular appointment system. They can now have annual fundus photography in the screening programme and if diabetic retinopathy is detected they are referred to the diabetic eye clinic where they will be seen and treated within one to two months by the ophthalmologist.
However, control of blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol are more important in the prevention of blindness from diabetic retinopathy”
Diabetic Retinopathy occurs when poor control of blood sugar levels, high blood pressure and high lipid levels in the blood damage the blood vessels in the retina, which can eventually lead to irreversible blindness if left untreated.
Many people with diabetes are unaware they have the condition, and by the time their vision deteriorates is it often too late for treatment. Regular screening, and early treatment, as well as careful health management is important to prevent unnecessary vision loss.
The goal of the programme is to reduce the prevalence of blindness due to diabetic retinopathy in Dominica utilizing a targeted and multi-sectoral approach.
Thank you Queen Elizabeth II for your Diamond Jubilee Trust, charitable foundation to the Commonwealth, especially Dominica. Today, some D/cans are able to receive professional and appropriate eye care.
Those who receive this care and the youths who receive awards for exemplary helpfulness to their nationals are no doubt grateful to you.
Having stated that, I admire you. I also admired your dear mother Queen Elizabeth I. What a nice lady she was. I continue to remember her and her captivating smile.
God bless her soul.
The world needs heads and democratic ones as you. While you were in England, other officials represented you in D/ca, including the Chief Ministers. They were the practical leaders in D/ca.
Your reign over Dominica, was not a dictatorship one. I still feel D/ca should be part of Great Britain. I am satisfied it is still in the Commonwealth.
You will be ever etched in my mind as a kind Queen and Lady.
God bless the Queen with many more years.
As many D/cans, I was born and brought up in the era of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, as the Queen of Dominica. I am ever respectful of authority; always was. I never felt oppressed. I always liked the Queen and always will.
I reside in a country which is a sovereign one with the Queen as its Head. I do not think this will change. If it ever does probably not for a century or more.
The Governor General stated that the people of this country should know that the Queen keeps us together. I have no problem with that.
When some people keep harping on slavery and slave master, I am not part and parcel of that.
Some of our ancestors were slaves. They have since long gone. Slavery has been abolished long before we who are alive. So why keep bringing it up sarcastically, unless to remember history? It is like looking behind. Furthermore, D/cans are very much of a mixed race through no fault of their own. Am I sorry about that? NO!
God bless Queen Elizabeth II.
I am pleased that the CEO of the Queens Trust visited and was welcomed in a most hospitable manner.
In the past Queen Elizabeth II was criticized in various ways which she is fully aware of. Today, she is doing her utmost to extend “an olive branch” through her Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust to the people of the Commonwealth. This is in honor of her Diamond Jubilee. This is no doubt, most of all, in gratitude first to God for granting her many years and healthily during her reign. She is giving back.
The Queen’s Young Leader Program will assist young people to be productive. It motives them, gives them a sense of well-being and to be of help to their country and nationals.
The Queen is to be commended for also her concern to the young people of the Commonwealth.
Dr Astrid Bonfield, CEO of the Queen’s Trust, we welcome you to our shores (even though the date is past). Thank you for visiting. You do know you will always be welcomed in the future.
Old equipment seem modern to Dominicans. Pa pa we backward plenty still.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/30/world/europe/uk-jubilee-republicans/index.html
It’s about democratic reform and a rejection of inherited power and privilege…. And reparations for slavery.
D/ca has too many negative people, not for their own good and that of D/ca.
There are some people who are never satisfied. The saying: “Darned if I do and darned if I don’t.” These are quick to criticize and debase others. This is not a good sign of kind and pleasant people. You bring your country down.
You know the Queen was once the Head of Dominica. That previous D/can leader decided to secede from Great Britain. Let it be known, in case you have not given it a thought, the Queen did not forsake D/ca. That leader was instrumental in having D/ca and its nationals removed from the Realm of Great Britain.
Lest we forget, it was a sad time for D/ca what preceded independence and what ensued. It is now history.
Yet, today, the Queen is still somewhat involved in Dominica through her Trust, charitable foundation.
A few years ago, an Ambassador to D/ca from Great Britain visited D/ca. She is stationed in Barbados.
Dominicans must be grateful to the Queen.
Should Britain scrap the monarchy?
Congratulations on works well done, we the people of this country should give high recognition to people like Tina Alfred annually instead of having great people like Tina Alfred caught up in “Psychological ropes?” “Mental slavery!
? This is an effort to keep the mental strings on.
If you remove “King” from his tittle he is likely to be looked at as a dictator. The question will be, who voted for him?
We have to do more to give recognition to people of great deeds such as Tina Alfred. Congratulations!
http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/30/world/europe/uk-jubilee-republicans/index.html