Publications
The Eastern Cape Department of Health in partnership with the South African National Council for the Blind (SANCB) conducted more than 55 cataract surgeries at Nompumelelo Hospital in Peddie this past weekend.
The restoration of the eyesight of the 59 people comes after MEC Nomakhosazana Meth launched the collaboration with the SANBC at Life St James Hospital in East London in October 2021.
The campaign will result in the partially blind patients from various areas under Amathole District receiving cataract operations that will significantly improve their eyesight.
Nompumelelo Hospital currently offers screening and prescription of reader spectacles to needy patients, with complicated cases referred to Cecilia Makiwane Hospital in Mdantsane for further examination and possible surgeries.
The Department is implementing various measures to eliminate the cataract surgery backlogs around the province. This is to assist visually impaired patients regain their sight.
On June 18, 51 people had their cataracts removed while eight were further operated on, today.
The MEC said the successful operations were part of the department’s endeavours to deliver quality health and care services to the millions of people in the Eastern Cape.
“When we talk about partnerships and collaborations, this is what we are talking about because through this partnership with the SANCB, we were able to restore eyesight of 59 people.
“We are committed to ensuring that we do everything we possibly can, within available resources, to ensure we improve the quality of services we offer.
“Through such partnerships, we will be able to continue delivering health and care services and ensure people’s quality of life improves,” she said.
Patients that underwent the procedure were selected from hospitals around Nkonkobe and Amahlathi sub-district and have been on our waiting lists.
A cataract is a clouding of the lens inside the eye, causing vision loss that cannot be corrected with glasses, contact lenses or corneal refractive surgery.
Most cataracts are associated with the aging process and are common among older citizens which at times, if not removed, may lead to blindness.
