KAREN EARNSHAW
Walking through the main entrance of Majuro hospital Tuesday morning was an eye-opener with a full house of patients lined up to register to get medical assistance. Strolling along to the outpatient area and to the right the picture was a mirror image with virtually every seat occupied as residents waited to see the Canvasback ophthalmology team.
The Canvasback group, led by the energetic Jacque Spence, had arrived in Majuro on Sunday and didn’t waste any time getting set up so they could open clinics on Monday morning.
Jacque had earlier told the Journal that the ophthalmology team will be doing cataract surgery from June 16 to 27.
“There will be a doctor who will treat diabetic retinopathy patients using the hospital’s laser and there will be an optician who will assist patients will eyeglasses from June 23-27,” she said.
Jacque said the team is led again by Dr. David Gano. “He was here last year and has done many trips to Majuro.”
Last year, the Canvasback ophthalmology team saw 405 patients and did 195 surgeries. “This time, we are prepared to do 200 cataract surgeries,” Jacque said.
Two members of the team are optometrists Olivia Gada and Jonathan Haley who are enjoying their first visit to the Marshall Islands. They, like every member of the team, which includes a number of local medical staff, are doing a whole lot of great work for the people of Majuro with eyesight issues.