Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust recognizes Dr. Sharon Belmar-George
Thursday, November 7, 2019
by Ministry of Education
THE DIABETIC RETINOPATHY PROGRAM PROGRAMME IN SAINT LUCIA IS LED BY DR. BELMAR.

The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust Fund was established in 2012 as a limited charity to make a lasting difference to people lives in honour of Her Majesty, The Queen. The mission was to create a lasting legacy, owned by every single Commonwealth country.   Two separate Commonwealth programmes were developed: to identify and nurture youth leadership and to curb blindness from avoidable causes. The Trust programmes on eye health, delivered in partnership with Commonwealth governments and through some exceptional organisations, have strengthened eye care in the Caribbean, Africa, Asia and the Pacific.

In the region, the Diabetic Retinopathy Program is funded by the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust through a two-year grant held at the International Center for Eye Health at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. The grant supports the development of diabetic retinopathy screening and treatment services in Belize, Dominica, Jamaica and Saint Lucia, through partnerships with multi-disciplinary teams from the UK.

In Saint Lucia, the programme led by Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Sharon Belmar-George was implemented in January of 2018. Through the support of this programme, diabetic eye screening clinics have been set up at the Castries Wellness Centre and the Vieux- Fort Wellness Centre. Laser eye treatment is provided free of charge at the Babonneau Wellness Centre. In recognition of the important role Dr. Sharon Belmar-George has played in coordination with the Commonwealth Eye Health Consortium, established by the Trust in partnership with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, she was invited to attend a reception. On Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at the reception hosted by Her Majesty, The Queen at Buckingham Palace, Dr. Sharon Belmar-George was recognized and celebrated for the work with the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust. Dr. Sharon Belmar-George also got the opportunity to meet with Her Royal Majesty, The Queen and the Countess of Wessex.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness congratulates Dr. Sharon Belmar-George on this achievement and esteemed recognition. The Ministry thanks the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust for the funding received to facilitate the programme and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine for the technical support and the capacity built in the country. 

Ministry Officials

  • Hon. Dr. Ernest Hilaire / Minister
  • Hon. Guibion Ferdinand / Parliamentary Secretary
  • Vernet St. Omer-Fontenelle / Director of Information Services