It's a programme that has benefited tens of thousands in Venezuela and now Belize is starting to see the results of a medical cooperation programme with Cuba. On July 25th, Cuba started taking Belizeans with eye problems to Cuba by the plane-ful. Since then four missions have gone out and two have returned. We were at the airport today to find out what the Havana healers did.
Alfonso Noble Reporting, [alfnoble@yahoo.com]
Phillipa Rubio from George Ville is one of 48 Belizeans who returned form Cuba today after receiving specialized eye care - free of cost from the Cuban government.
Phillipa Rubio, Eye Patient
"I had cataract in my eyes and they cleaned it, took it off."
Jose Luis Baeza had his cataract for 20 years and decided this was his chance to have it removed:
Jose Luis Baeza, Eye Patient
"I went to fix my eyesight because you know the eyesight is a very serious problem and the eyesight is something that costs money to operate and get operation. So I got to know about this trip to Cuba and so I took the trip."
Jules Vasquez,
So what was wrong with your eyes?
Jose Luis Baeza,
"I had cataract."
Jules Vasquez,
How many years did you have it?
Jose Luis Baeza,
"I had it more than 20 years."
Jules Vasquez,
But you've never been able to get treatment for it in Belize?
Jose Luis Baeza,
"Yeah I used to get treatment at the hospital but that was eye drops and things like that but this trip came up and I took the risk to go. All of my life I didn't want to ride plane because I was afraid so I took the ride."
That ride ended up in a Cuban hospital.
Jose Luis Baeza,
"I went through more than eight doctors, one by one, and they got the special machines and everything and they came to the conclusion that in 8 days they will cut my eye. So I spent two days in the hospital, which in they give you food and everything, treat you good and everything and everything is air-conditioned--the room, the hospital, and everything."
Vildo Marin, Minister of Health
"I'm encouraging all Belizeans to take advantage of this opportunity for them to go. As a matter of fact there's a lady I spoke to just now that says she didn't know she had breast cancer and she didn't only get her cataract operated but also the breast tumor was also operated on. I think this is really a miracle project."
And Egbert Woods needed no convincing of the miracle in this project.
Egbert Woods, Eye Patient
"Wonderful, I could never regret it, it was wonderful. I enjoyed myself going and coming. Over there they treat you with love and every time one of them hugs you they kiss you so they have love. That is what they have over there and I can never complain about that. If possible I am ready to go back right now. They have love over there and respect. I got some of the young girls call me abuelo, that is grandpa, so you know they treat you with love and respect."
Now, the Ministry of Health hopes that goodwill can expand into different programmes.
Vildo Marin,
"Yes if we can expand the program, not only to treat eye problems but you know the various problems we are having with liver, kidneys, and those tertiary level operations that need a lot of expertise and financial resources that we don't have here."
And while the Minister hopes to expand the programme, for the time being it continues for eye patients only.
7NEWS produced for broadcast by News Director Jules Vasquez
Edited and Prepared for the internet by Keith Swift
