The St. Lucia government Monday said it has signed an agreement with a United States-based organisation to support a 12-month pilot programme that will be delivered through primary healthcare facilities and community health worker platforms.
According to the official statement, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with RestoringVision last Thursday, allowing for the non-profit organisation, to support the Prime Ministerial Vision Initiative through the integration of presbyopia screening and near-vision eyeglass distribution into the island’s public health system. The partnership could result in up to 50,000 donated eyeglasses distributed across the island. The agreement will support a 12-month pilot programme to be delivered through primary healthcare facilities and community health worker platforms, bringing presbyopia screening and near-vision eyeglass distribution closer to communities throughout the island. The programme will help identify individuals experiencing vision challenges and connect them with appropriate corrective eyewear.
The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to address presbyopia, an age-related condition that affects the ability to see objects clearly at close range and can impact productivity, independence, and overall quality of life.
The statement said that the signing follows Cabinet’s approval of the MoU on June 1, 2026, authorising the establishment of a framework for collaboration between the the two parties and allowing for St. Lucia to join a growing network of countries working with RestoringVision to improve access to vision care through community-based screening and eyeglass distribution programmes.
Prime Minister Pierre welcomed the partnership, saying that better vision can open doors to greater independence, productivity and opportunity, making the collaboration with RestoringVision a meaningful investment in the well-being of the nation’s people.
‘The partnership reflects a shared commitment to expanding access to vision care through sustainable, community-based solutions. Beyond the donation of eyeglasses, RestoringVision will provide training and technical assistance to support the delivery of presbyopia screening services and strengthen local capacity for the long-term integration of vision care within St. Lucia’s public health system.’
The statement said the partnership also establishes a joint monitoring and evaluation framework to assess outcomes, measure impact and identify opportunities for continuous improvement throughout the pilot phase.