1. What are Antigua-Barbuda’s International Obligations to Vision for Everyone:
1.1 In 2021, the General Assembly, passed UN Resolution A/75/L.108 “Vision for
Everyone accelerating action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals”. This
resolution was drafted by: Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh and Ireland and adopted
unanimously by all 193 members.
1.2 In 2020, The World Health Assembly adopted WHA resolution A73.4 Integrated
people-centred eye care including preventable vision, impairment and blindness.
1.3 In 2021, The WHA enhanced the eye health metric by adopting resolution
A74/9Add.3 Integrated people centred eyecare including preventable vision impairment
and blindness.
1.4 WHA A74/9Add.3 mandated the following targets, for effective coverage of
refractive errors and cataract surgery, to be achieved by 2030:
1.4.1 Provision of Prescription Eye Glasses:
A 40-percentage point increase in effective coverage of refractive error by 2030:
Countries with a baseline effective coverage rate of 60% or higher
should strive for universal coverage.
Countries should aim to achieve an equal increase in effective
coverage of near and distance refractive error in all relevant
population subgroups, independent of baseline estimates.
1.4.2Cataract Surgery
The recommended global target for effective coverage of cataract surgery is:
A 30-percentage point increase in effective coverage of cataract
surgery by 2030:
Countries with a baseline effective coverage rate of 70% or higher
should strive for universal coverage
Countries should aim to achieve an equal increase in effective
coverage of cataract surgery in all relevant population subgroups,
independent of baseline estimates.
1.4.3 Achievement of the objectives require a strong primary eyecare program in
Antigua-Barbuda.
15 In September 2023, CCB’s AGM adopted Caribbean Vision for Everyone as the
brand to be used in advancing the objectives set out in WHA A74/9Add.3.
2. Why Antigua-Barbuda Needs primary Eye Care Services at District and Community
Levels?
2.1 The 2011 Census found 7,262 persons, (almost 10% of adults) blind in 1 or
both eyes.
2.2 Eight of 10 people needing eye care, are older; Requiring treatment closer to where
they live.
2.3 The finding let to:
2.3.1 Establishment of eye clinics at: Claire Hall, Greys Farm and Johnsons Point.
2.3.2Implementation of the Public Sector Eye Care Program and
2.3.3 Implementation of the Barbuda Eye Service, as an itinerant program.
3. With the closure of eye clinics at: Claire Hall, Gray’s Farm and Johnsons Point, more
than 15,000 eye patients must seek eye health services elsewhere.
Operating the largest eye clinic in the Eastern Caribbean, located on the Holberton
Campus, CCB will use its National Vision Centre to help alleviate the problem. The
clinic includes: airconditioned waiting for up to 45; 6 examination lanes and a 2-lane
eyeglass laboratory.
Arvel Grant C-Sw, BSc-SW, DPA, MPH
Public Health and International Development Specialist
