BEFITTING of World Sight Day, which is commemorated annually on October 12 to promote eye and vision care, the Eastern Cape Department of Health hosted a life-changing cataract surgery outreach programme across the province.
This was done through a partnership with the South African National Council for the Blind.
The head of the ophthalmology unit at the Cecilia Makiwane Hospital, Doctor Samkelo Leon Mbelwa, explained that this is a global initiative that commenced in 1999 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Influenza-associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis (IAPA).
“This is a project to prevent blindness in developing countries; South Africa being one of them. That is why we are hosting the cataract marathon to reduce the backlog in the number of patients who have cataract issues in the Eastern Cape communities.”
About 200 Buffalo City Metro residents were granted the opportunity to see clearly again when they underwent these surgeries over a five-day cataract surgery marathon at Cecilia Makiwane Hospital.
Residents of the Alfred Nzo and OR Tambo districts also had their turn when about 75 patients from these districts had their eyesight restored at the Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Regional Hospital in Mbizana.
The Sabona Eye Clinic, situated at the Frontier Regional Hospital in Komani, hosted 55 patients from all over the Chris Hani District for their cataract surgeries to be done, the eldest being a 91-year-old “golden girl”.
Barina Ndobo (79) from Ndevana Location in Qonce said she is grateful to have had the operation. “My eyesight problems worry me because I do not want to go completely blind. Blind people always fall prey to all sorts of violations; all because they cannot see.”
EC Health Department spokesperson Mkhululi Ndamase said the department will continue having more cataract surgeries, working with their reliable partners for better health outcomes.
“We urge people with eyesight problems to contact their nearest hospitals so that they can be tested and registered on our database. When we have cataract surgeries in their parts of the province, they might be among those who will receive the life-changing surgery.”
