Cabinet Advances – By Jeressa Jeremy
Cabinet Advances Blind Free
The Government of Antigua and Barbuda is intensifying its efforts to eliminate preventable blindness through the “Blind Free Zone” initiative.
Director of Communications Maurice Merchant confirmed that the program, spearheaded by Minister of State in the Ministry of Health Senator Michael Joseph, has already secured significant international support and technical resources.
Under a two-year agreement facilitated by the Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States and the OAS, Sir Ronald Saunders, the nation has received US$90,000 in specialized ophthalmology equipment—precision medical tools specifically designed for examining, diagnosing, and treating eye disorders.
Merchant explained that the initiative is part of a broader strategy: “This is a collaborative program aimed at reducing preventable blindness and strengthening eye care services here in Antigua and Barbuda.”
He added that this technical support is being reinforced by an extensive professional development program for local healthcare staff.
“Under this program also, there are a number of nurses who have just graduated who are selected to take part in this program and they are currently undergoing training in India at the renowned Aravind Eye Hospital,” Merchant said. “Upon completion of their training, the nurses will return to Antigua to help establish and operate two community-based eye care centers under the Ministry of Health.”
The initiative will focus on a designated medical corridor serving several key communities. The targeted service area extends from Gray’s Farm through Golden Grove, Jennings, and All Saints, reaching into English Harbour and Falmouth.
He added that the program aims to decentralize eye care, moving it into the heart of communities to ensure early detection and treatment. Merchant confirmed the government’s commitment to the trainees, saying: “Cabinet has also committed to supporting them during their training and so the ministry will be in contact with those nurses to ensure that they go through their training with the intention of returning to Antigua and Barbuda to give service to the country with their new specialized skills.”
A primary goal of the initiative is financial accessibility for residents, he stated, and the government has committed to a price cap for essential vision correction tools.
“Under the program the cost of glasses is expected to be kept below $100 ensuring accessibility while supporting the sustainability of this program,” Merchant said.
The “Blind Free Zone” initiative is expected to be a highlight of the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) scheduled for November 2026 in Antigua and Barbuda. The program aligns with global goals shared by the United Nations to prioritize vision care as a key component of national productivity and public health.
