Consultant ophthalmologist Dr David Burton made the decision to give back to Jamaica from an experience he had 20 years ago while he was on an internship at the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH).
In 2006, he had travelled to Jamaica as part of the GraceKennedy Birthright Programme. During a six-week placement at Kingston Public Hospital, he encountered a glaucoma patient whose situation left a lasting impact.
“I remember seeing a patient who had glaucoma who wasn’t taking his eye drops. I remember saying to him ‘the eye drops will help you keep your sight’, and he said, ‘I can’t afford it. It’s either buy the eye drops or feed my family,” Dr Burton recalled.
Dr Burton said the contrast between that situation and his experience in the United Kingdom where he lives was different because the health system in his country is publicly funded.
“That resonated with me. It’s something people in the UK don’t have to face. It drove my passion to want to work and help in the Caribbean,” he said.
The father of one said that moment set him on a path that has now come “full circle”. Nearly 20 years later, Dr Burton returned to Jamaica as part of a self-organised medical mission, working alongside colleagues at Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego Bay.
“I have always wanted to help people, and I realised that I could bring joy where there’s pain. That’s what I want to do,” he said.
personal initiative
Born in the United Kingdom, Dr Burton has built a career in cataract and glaucoma surgery since graduating from university in 2010. Over the years, he has treated tens of thousands of patients and performed thousands of cataract procedures. Yet, despite his clinical success, his ambitions have always stretched beyond the walls of British hospitals to the Caribbean, and specifically to Jamaica.
“Jamaica is a place that has always been in the midst of my identity. I am a naturalised citizen and I met my wife, Carla, here in 2008 while we were at the Diaspora Conference. We got married here in Jamaica in 2010. It’s a home away from home to me,” he said.
“There’s something that’s pulling us there. I feel a strong affinity and pull to the people of Jamaica,” he added.
Dr Burton’s most recent visit was driven not by formal programmes of the conference, but by personal initiative. After attending a diaspora conference, he began reaching out to contacts within Jamaica’s Ministry of Health and local medical professionals. He hosted a medical mission on June 16 at the Cornwall Regional Hospital, where he treated patients with various eye issues.
“I just did the background work myself,” he said. “I asked, ‘What’s needed? How can I assist’ and from there I started organising the medical mission.”
The ophthalmologist who specialises in treating glaucoma added that there was an untapped potential of diaspora partnerships. While he acknowledged the presence of existing medical missions, Dr Burton argues that more coordinated efforts could significantly improve outcomes.
“It would be good to understand what is happening, where, and at what level. If you can map that out, you can identify the gaps, then the diaspora can help fill them,” he said.
He envisions a system where expertise and resources from overseas professionals are strategically aligned with local needs, creating a more effective healthcare network across the island.
identifying priorities
Although there are challenges, Dr Burton remains energised by the human impact of his work. “When patients come back after surgery, they’re happy and delighted. If I can give people their sight back, or protect it, that’s the gift for me,” he said.
Looking ahead, Dr Burton hopes to spend more time working in Jamaica and contributing to its healthcare development. He believes that improving infrastructure and access to care will not only benefit residents but also encourage greater diaspora engagement.
“One of the concerns people have when returning is healthcare. There’s a need to develop a system that works for all,” he said.
He is particularly interested in helping design more efficient approaches to service delivery, including better understanding of demand and supply across different medical areas. “It’s about identifying priorities,” he said. “Where are the gaps? How do we bridge them?”
Burton said the mission is deeply personal and, notably, entirely self-funded. “This work was done pro bono. It’s all paid for out of pocket. My desire is just to help the people in Jamaica,” he said.
Managing director of JN Life Insurance, Hugh Reid, commended Dr Burton for his decision to give back to Jamaica.
“Stories like Dr Burton’s highlight the power of purpose-driven expertise and the critical role of diaspora professionals in strengthening healthcare systems. Access to quality eye care is not just a medical issue, it’s directly tied to financial security and quality of life,” he said.
“When individuals can preserve their sight, they maintain their independence, their livelihoods, and their ability to support their families. Dr Burton’s decision to give back to Jamaica in terms of helping those with eye conditions is commendable and will help to build a healthier and more resilient Jamaica,” he added.
