SFGH needs specialist eye doctor

“I will not be shamed to say ‘I do not know’ nor will I fail to call in my colleagues where the skills of another are needed for a patient’s recovery.” Majestic and profound words taken from the rights of passage for graduating medical doctors.

I refer to it in the context of the absence of an epiretinal membrane specialist surgeon at the San Fernando General Hospital.

There is an excellent, competent group of young doctors at the Eye Clinic. Their screening, diagnoses and recommendations are par excellence.

But their good intentions, energies, devotion and great work ethics are frustrated and stymied by the lack of the specialist surgeon.

I have a few workable suggestions that I feel can be woven into the healthcare fabric which can ease the anxiety of both patients and staff: 1. Inform the people of the status of the recruitment process for the surgeon.

2. Doctors without Borders can be an option.

3. Deserving young doctors should be sent to train in the specific field.

4. Request the services of the few specialists who work privately.

There are over 150 patients anxiously awaiting epiretinal intervention.

Why should someone approaching or into their golden years be unnecessarily saddled with the dreadful possibility and debilitating anxiety of losing their sight? Why should the indigent pay for the lenses used in cataract surgery? There are no ophthalmic eye drops in the pharmacy. I and other patients are helpless victims to our own demise. Yours is a difficult and thankless job and I understand the constraints within which you operate. The greatest gift you can bequeath to us is clarity of vision, peace of mind and vitality of life.

I do hope my plea is not met with empty rhetoric devoid of intent but that positive action would be forthcoming.

SAHADEO RAGOONANAN via email