Yupukari residents get free spectacles from Govt

The Human Services and Social Security Ministry on Thursday made a second visit to Yupukari village, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), this time, distributing some 60 spectacles to residents.
The initial visit saw the Ministry’s Difficult Circumstances Unit (DCU) conducting the initial eye testing last month.

The Unit returned to deliver on its promise, where eye care specialists from Optical Works were on hand to assist.
Human Services Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud was lauded by Regional Chairman Brian Allicock and residents for fulfilling the pledge.
Technical Officer attached to the Human Services Ministry and Head of the Difficult Circumstances Unit, Mahendra Budhram indicated that some 1500 spectacles have been distributed so far.
Budhram told the recipients, “We want to do this because we realise your eyes are very important and those who would have done the test and require glasses, we gave you that so your lives can be easier and that is what the Ministry of Human Services is about, we want to ensure that your life is easier.”
Meanwhile, a few residents spoke of their struggles being without spectacles and expressed their gratitude for being recipients of the distribution.
The new initiative is complementing the Ministry’s Difficult Circumstances Unit from which persons are already benefitting from reduced payment for their spectacles, and in some cases receiving a new spectacle free of charge.
The Ministry had partnered with several eye care entities namely Revision Optical, Miracle Care Vision, Courts Optical, Modern Optical, Optical Works, Miracle Optical, Mings Optical and Optique Vision Care in administering free eye testing and spectacles to persons that are in dire need.
In turn, the eye care entities that are onboard are said to be charging the Ministry a fixed price for a pair of spectacles regardless of how much more valuable the actual cost of the spectacles is.
The first roll out was done in February last at Albion, Region 6 (East Berbice-Corentyne).