345 Jamaicans seeing clearly again after free cataract surgeries

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Jul 17, 2026 06:09 AM | Health
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Dr. Lloyd Williams Team Leader, Duke University and his team performing cataract surgery on one of the patients during day two of the cataract mission at the Kingston Public Hospital held on July 6-11, 2026.

For hundreds of Jamaicans who had been living in a world of shadows and blurred vision, the past week has brought a brilliant new dawn. A massive five-day medical mission at the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) has successfully restored sight to 345 patients through free, life-changing cataract surgeries.

The initiative, held from July 6 to 11, was a powerful collaboration between a visiting team of ophthalmologists from Duke University in North Carolina and the dedicated local eye-care specialists at KPH. The mission specifically targeted patients on the hospital’s waiting list whose vision had severely deteriorated.

Leading the international brigade was Dr. Lloyd Williams, team leader of the Duke University Mission, who partnered seamlessly with KPH’s Eye Clinic, spearheaded by Consultant Ophthalmologist Dr. Michelle Leighton.

Dr. Leighton hailed the mission as a tremendous success, emphasizing benefits that extended far beyond the operating theatre. "Beyond the impressive number of surgeries completed, it has significantly improved the quality of life of our patients," Dr. Leighton stated. "We also benefited tremendously from the exchange of knowledge and supplies between the Duke University team and our ophthalmologists at KPH. We look forward to strengthening this valuable partnership in the future."

The effort was not just a clinical success but a triumph of diaspora and community partnership. The mission was spearheaded by Zion Care International, a New York-based charity led by Jamaican-born Bishop Craig Brown. Working alongside its local partner, the Jamaica Medical Foundation—the outreach arm of the nation’s insurance industry, the organizations provided crucial coordination support.

During a special reception held at the Pegasus Hotel on Saturday, July 11, to honour the volunteers, Dr. Trevor Bygrave, senior medical officer at KPH, expressed profound gratitude to the wide network of partners who made the mission possible.

"We sincerely thank Zion Care International, the Jamaica Medical Foundation, Duke University, our KPH team, Mr. Courtney Cephas, the National Healthcare Enhancement Foundation, the Ministry of Health & Wellness, and Mr. Dwayne Francis, Acting CEO of KPH," Dr. Bygrave said. "Together, we have restored sight, renewed hope, and transformed the lives of hundreds of Jamaicans through partnership and compassionate care."

This successful mission adds a brilliant chapter to the legacy of the Kingston Public Hospital, Jamaica's premier public healthcare institution, which is proudly celebrating 250 years of service to the nation in 2026.