QWAQWA: The concerted efforts of the Free State Department of Health in reducing the backlog of cataract surgeries has culminated in the completion of 128 surgeries. These were performed as part of the commemoration of Nelson Mandela month, for the whole of July.
These life-changing operations were performed over three days, 18 to 20 July, at the Mofumahadi Manapo Mopeli Regional Hospital in Qwaqwa.
According to Mondli Mvambi, spokesperson for the department, of the 130 surgeries that the department had initially planned, a total of 128 surgeries were successfully completed.
“The cataract removal project initially targeted 130 patients. However, an impressive 172 patients were screened and booked for eligibility.
“These eye operations included individuals with varying degrees of vision impairment, some affected in one eye and others in both,” he said.
Mvambi said two patients did not attend their scheduled operations, and three others were unable to proceed due to unstable blood glucose levels.
“An additional 38 patients had complicated cataracts and are scheduled for referral to the Universitas Annex at the National District Hospital in Bloemfontein.”
Mvambi said eye surgeries were undertaken in response to the clarion call by the MEC for Health, Monyatso Mahlatsi, who volunteered to participate in the significant eye surgeries marathon.
He said the recent surgeries have significantly reduced the backlog of patients on the waiting list to have cataract removal surgeries, which is the leading cause of blindness globally.
He shared that the department medical team that performed the surgeries was led by Dr Leandro Torriente Vizcaino, a grade 3 medical officer and acting clinical manager.
Last year the provincial department performed 500 cataract surgeries during October, which was set aside as Eye Care Awareness Month.
This campaign highlighted the importance of eye health and preventative measures.
