More than 2,000 residents of western Jamaica recently benefited from the latest clinics staged by the United States-based charity organisation Great Shape! Inc’s iCare project in partnership with the Sandals Foundation.

In Westmoreland almost 1,700 people were the beneficiaries of clinics done by Great Shape iCare volunteers at the Open Bible Church in Savanna-la-Mar.

At the Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego Bay, St James, 49 patients received cataract surgery, 28 minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries were conducted, 23 people benefited from panretinal photocoagulation laser procedures– which is used to treat diabetic retinopathy, while one surgery conducted to repair a detached retina.

The team also distributed 50 prescription glasses and are set to distribute another 566 custom pairs in January.

In addition to these services, thousands of reading and sunglasses were dispensed, medication provided to people in need, and hundreds of hypertension tests done. People who turned up at the clinics were also exposed to information on healthy lifestyles.

Expressing his satisfaction with the success of the clinics done in Westmoreland, team lead for the Great Shape iCare volunteers, Steven Stern said the services offered will be life-changing for the beneficiaries and would not have been possible without the incredible team of Sandals South Coast and with the help of the Sandals Foundation, which has been partnering with the Great Shape iCare Inc for 20 years.