Residents of Linden and other parts of Region 10 (Upper Demerara- Berbice) now have improved access to eye care, with the recent opening of a new Optometry Unit at the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC).
LHC Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Farouk Riyasat (centre); Linden Mayor Waneka Arrindell(second from left); Regional Chairman Renis Morian (right); Councillor Denise Belgrave (second from right) and Optometrist Zola Layne in a section of the new facility
The facility, which is situated inside the compound of the former LHC building, just next door to the state-of-the-art hospital, will cater for surgeries as well as eye exams and prescription glasses.
Its doors were opened to the public a few months ago. Linden Mayor Waneka Arrindell and Regional Chairman Renis Morian were recently given a tour of the facility by LHC Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Farouk Riyasat.
During the tour, Dr Riyasat outlined that the facility would cater for eye surgeries, including cataract removal. He said surgeries would be conducted in a sterile area (sterilisation unit). Within the Unit are also a pre-anaesthetic area, operating room, post-surgery department (recovery area), and eye examination room, among others.
According to Dr Riyasat, following surgeries, patients will first be taken to the hospital ward for observation.
The Optometrist attached to the Unit, Zola Layne outlined that the facility conducted free-eye testing, but patients were required to “pay a small fee for the glasses”.
“We accept NIS vouchers also. This is our new department which we moved over to just a few months ago and we’re very happy…,” she stated. The Regional Chairman commended Dr Riyasat and his team, the Public Health Ministry and Government for bringing the facility on stream as he encouraged the use of the former hospital building for various other health purposes. He also urged Lindeners to make full use of the facility. “I guess a lot of people in Linden still don’t know (about the facility), and I’m hoping that today (with) our visit here … Lindeners will be aware that this facility is here that they can access it .. .I am happy that Upper Demerara-Berbice and primarily Linden will enjoy this kind of facility. I want to encourage residents to make full use of this facility…,” Regional Chairman Morian said.
The facility is headed by Lindener Dr Romesa McDonald.
