Ten years ago, the late Norma Applewhaite spearheaded the formation of the Glaucoma Association of Trinidad and Tobago.
The former teacher, herself a victim of the eye disease so often referred to as "the thief in the night", saw a need to try and spare others falling prey to this disease which although incurable, can be stabilised and will not lead to blindness, once diagnosed in time. Norma invited Dr George Dhanny, Terry Boswell Inniss, Grace Ferdinand, Peter Augustus and Cap St Hill to assist in formalising plans for the organisation of the Association, which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year.
Dr Dhanny was recently re-elected president of the Association of about 120 financial members, for his fifth two-year term. Gloria Corbie is secretary, Alison Vaughan- education officer, Norma Monsegue- treasurer, Sonny Sebastian public relations officer, and council members are John Adams, Veronica Williams, Joan Wood and Boswell Inniss.
The Association's main aim, to save sight by means of awareness and community outreach programmes, has been achieved through Awareness Day, which this year takes place on September 14 in conjunction with the Lions. At this annual seminar an opthalmologist will make a presentation on the disease and an optometrist will conduct vision screening. Those attending will learn about the nature of the disease, prevention and treatment.
The major fundraiser, the annual Walk-a-Thon, which takes place on Sunday June 30, beginning at 8 a.m. opposite to the President's House, brings the disease, Glaucoma, to the community at large. This year, the patron of the Association, Gloria Ramdial, will start the walk which continues around the Queen's Park Savannah. In addition to regular winners' prizes, cups will be presented to the oldest and the youngest who complete the course. "The collection sheets are already out" says Vaughan "and although members of the public now look for them, we need all the help we can get from the corporate members of the community. Although there are many corporate citizens who already make generous donations. The main sponsors being Optometrists Today in association with ALCON."
Meetings held once per month provide the second of the aims and objectives, a forum for discussion concerning the problems related to glaucoma and to seek solutions to such problems by making representation to national or international agencies. The Association is affiliated to the International Glaucoma Association of London and collaborates with other groups/Associations such as the Port of Spain Central Lions Club.
While the third purpose of the organisation has been achieved, in part: "To establish consumer co-operatives comprising members of the Association for the purpose of obtaining medical supplies at affordable prices to members."
Back in 1999 a Coalition of NGO's approached the Minister of Health, who was then Dr Hamza Rafeeq, expressing concern about the cost of medication for all chronic diseases. Glaucoma was an important one.
Says Dr Dhanny "most important is that we were able to persuade government to introduce drugs at more affordable prices to lower income patients. Members of the Glaucoma Association who are needy and meet the specified profile, make application and we assist them in purchasing their drugs. When you become a member of our association, you can tell your pharmacist I am a glaucoma patient, would you consider giving me a discount."
While it is believed that about 40,000 persons suffer from Glaucoma, the Association believes that the only way to keep on top of the situation is to have at least annual examinations, particularly if one is at risk, such as, those whose ancestors suffered from this hereditary disease. It has also been noticed that the disease is more prevalent among the negro population. "In this context" Vaughan sees "a definite need for more people, such as optometrists and eye specialists to come forward and offer affordable checks."
The management of the Association is careful about times of functions as its visually impaired members must be home before dark. "A Christmas lunch, as dinner is inconvenient" says Vaughan "everything we do we have to think of the limitations of our members. Remember the loss of your sight contributes great psychological damage to your persona as you become dependent on people."
And for the future, Dr Dhanny wants the Association to broaden its membership base, to include members in south and Tobago. We need more people with expertise to assist in the area of public relations. We need people to be motivated into giving something of themselves as you would expect that people, in their own interest, will assist an organisation that is trying to help them."
The Association's major objective is to try to get government to do even more in the field of drugs for chronic diseases. Both Vaughan and Dr Dhanny spoke of the Barbados experience where anybody suffering from a chronic disease, over the age of 60 or 65, gets free prescription drugs. "You are talking about a country with no oil. This is the time for other organisations to approach government on this subject. We need to look closely at the Barbados model to see if it could apply to Trinidad & Tobago, after all we have a lot more natural resources than they have and Barbados is able to do that for their citizens." Whereas, in Trinidad & Tobago, drugs are not available at the hospitals where one is supposed to be able to get medications.