A partnership among the Eastern Cape Department of Health, SA Council for the Blind, EC Medics Unity Foundation, African Eye Institute, the South African Medical Research Council, the SA Red Cross Air Mercy Services, and the North End Foundation, has seen 397 patients get free eyesight-restoring cataract surgeries.
The life-changing surgery was conducted, mostly on senior citizens, over two weeks in various hospitals across the Eastern Cape.
The blitz started at the Sabona Eyecare Centre at Frontier Hospital in Komani, and concluded at Madzikane ka Zulu Memorial Hospital in KwaBhaca.
Eastern Cape Health MEC, Nomakhosazana Meth, who witnessed the cataract surgery blitz in Komani and KwaBhaca, described it as a success.
“We are grateful to our reliable partners for working with us, so that we can gift so many people the gift of sight.
“Those who benefited from this great initiative now have a new lease of life. Iimfama ziyabona [The blind can see],” said Meth.
The MEC described the surgery blitz as a team effort.
“We will continue working with partners, because partnerships and collaboration are the way to go as government cannot, on its own, achieve everything when we want to.
“We are grateful that our partners have committed that the blitz will continue, even in the seventh administration, which will benefit even more people,” she said.
Meth thanked the teams of ophthalmologists, nurses, cleaners, and general assistants that ensured the blitz was a success.
“We are grateful to them for their efforts, as we continuously strive to improve the quality of health and care we offer to our people,” she added.
Patient and cataract surgery beneficiary, Philiso Bhonga (56) from Flagstaff, thanked Meth, government, and partners.
“With such programmes you can save senior citizens’ suffering, because some are being abused by their children because they cannot see. It’s not nice being blind.
“I thank the province, and everyone involved in making this happen. Now we will be able to see,” he said.
Another beneficiary, Ntombovuyo Mbangata (52) of KwaBhaca, echoed Bhonga’s sentiments.
“We will enjoy the Easter weekend with restored eyesight. Now we will even be able to read the Bible, something we couldn’t do before.”
“From the first day that we got here for the screening, we were well taken care of by nurses who welcomed us, the doctors, the staff in theatre and even the kitchen staff, who ensured we had good food every day,” Mbangata concluded.
