Connecting in the Caribbean: Working Towards a Better Future

Eye health remains a critical issue in the Caribbean, where limited resources, infrastructure challenges, and a shortage of trained healthcare professionals often hinder access to eye care services. For more than 40 years, the Brenda Strafford Foundation (BSF) has been working to address these challenges in Haiti, Dominica, and recently, Jamaica. In 2024, BSF increased its focus to serve as a catalyst, connecting with over 60 stakeholders at local, regional, and international levels to help improve eye care in the region.

In May, thanks to the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), BSF attended the 4th International Conference for Small Island Developing States in Antigua and Barbuda. A representative from BSF participated in a panel discussion on “Delivering Universal Eye Care,” advocating for increased access to eye care in underserved areas, providing examples of the impact of such services in Haiti.

For the first time, BSF attended IAPB’s Annual Conference, 2030 IN SIGHT LIVE in Mexico City in June 2024. Alongside IAPB representatives and members from North America, Latin America, and Europe, opportunities for collaboration were explored. Kevin Melanson, BSF’s Vice President for International Health & Social Impact, who represented the BSF’s at both conferences stated, “I’m looking forward to integrating learnings from the conferences into our work and making new partnerships to advance our contributions in the global efforts to eliminate avoidable blindness.”

One of the Caribbean’s pressing needs in eye care is the availability and maintenance of medical equipment. In low-resource settings like Haiti and Dominica, acquiring and sustaining high-quality medical equipment can be difficult, particularly due to a shortage of biomedical engineers. In August, in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Dominica Hospital Authorities, BSF launched a Biomedical Engineer Knowledge Exchange between Haiti and Dominica. Through this connection, ideas and resources are shared, helping increase the ability to properly plan for, maintain, and repair medical equipment. Ultimately, this helps ensure medical equipment remains functional and available when needed most.

In Haiti, BSF’s Institut Brenda Strafford (IBS) in Les Cayes introduced small and large initiatives to improve services. A newly installed television broadcasts videos on common eye conditions such as cataracts and glaucoma, helping patients learn more about their eye health. Additionally, BSF installed 400 solar panels at its facility, creating a renewable energy source that helps ensure the facility delivers consistent and quality services to the community.

Building local capacity for eye care was another key focus in 2024. Through the Caribbean Eye Health Alliance (co-founded by BSF in 2023), the BSF Optometry Scholarship was created to encourage students to pursue a career in optometry at Jamaica’s first and only optometry program, run by the All-American Institute of Medical Sciences. The IBS in Haiti also hosted three ophthalmology residents, part of the more than 250 medical and nursing students gaining experience at the facility each year.

Bringing together key partners, resources, and expertise is vital in improving eye health care across the Caribbean, and BSF is proud to be a part of these efforts. To learn more about the BSF, visit: www.thebsf.ca/international-health.