No substitute for local expertise

While I empathise with Mr Woodruffe’s situation and completely validate the family’s request for assistance, I am baffled as to why the surgery is being handled in Cuba. It is a fact, that corneal transplants have taken place in Trinidad and Tobago for over 60 years. I have personally transported corneal transplant tissue from Miami to Trinidad in November of 1993 and to this date I continue to assist in coordinating priority shipments of donated tissue.

Trinidad has the necessary facilities and surgeons that are fully qualified to perform these procedures. I know first hand of Trinidadian ophthalmologists who have performed surgeries across the world in numerous programmes ranging from North, Central and South America to South Africa and Asia.

If patient confidence or expense was ever an issue, I certainly believe that there is no substitute for local expertise and experience. Incidentally the cost in Trinidad is approximately 1/5th that quoted for Cuba. Has the family also taken into consideration the additional cost of travel and accommodation for the patient and an accompanying family member?

As this topic has the potential to escalate beyond the scope of editorial feedback, I will end off by saying that I strongly believe that Mr Woodruffe’s case can be handled a lot more efficiently and less expensive right in Trinidad.

I hope that Mr Woodruffe and his family receive the funds required for his surgery and I also wish him a comfortable and fast recovery regardless of where the procedure is done. Lastly, I thank Newsday for the opportunity to provide feedback on this topic.