The Alter
This past weekend was the culmination of much preparation here in Jamaica. My role here is to be a constant ophthalmology presence for challenging cases and to provide laser therapy and surgery, both of which have only been offered when teams from the states come and visit. Of course, when they come, they also bring all their staff and all their own supplies. This meant that I had to train staff and somehow find a way to get all the supplies. I have two wonderful Jamaican ladies who have been learning the material on how to be an OR nurse and have been observing the teams that come down. Sourcing supplies has been a huge hurdle, but we have managed to find some things on the island and then have others bring in what we need. So, after months of preparation, a very generous and talented ophthalmologist came down with tons of supplies and 2 nurses to help get us up and running and train me on how to handle the very difficult cataracts that we see...