Once blind, but now they can see
In light of Madiba Day, this weekend became one to remember for 49 blind or partially blind patients at Leratong Hospital.
Over the weekend, 49 patients had cataracts removed form their eyes, costing them nothing but a ride to Leratong Hospital.
Developing a cataract is because of a medical condition in which the lens of the eye becomes progressively opaque, resulting in blurred vision.
This campaign, organised by the Islamic Medical Association (IMA) and the Pakistani Community in South Africa (PCSA), was started in 2005 by Dr Hussein Shabbier who felt the need to help 170 000 patients with avoidable blindness, whereof cataracts are the leading cause, in South Africa.
Nadeem Ahmed, the project manager, applauds the campaign with successfully removing cataracts from the eyes of 3 389 patients this year.
“After we remove the cataract, we replace the eye’s lens with another. Patients normally recover within a week,” he says.
Fikile Oyekanmi, Leratong Hospital’s spokesperson, told the News patients would normally wait a very long time before an operation like this would take place. But thanks to this annual campaign, patients are treated faster and still free of charge.
This campaign strives to support the vision that the United Nations set out for the year 2020.
“We aim to eradicate as many avoidable diseases that causes blindness,” Fikile said.
53-year-old Nafisa Khan was one of the lucky patients who is now able to see clearly after her second cataract was remove this weekend.
“Initially I thought my blurry vision was because of old age. But after visiting a state clinic I was referred to Leratong Hospital for further tests. Dr Hussein advised that I come this weekend to remove the cataract in my right eye.
“The operations was quick and painless. The nurses were very kind as well.”
These campaigns are held every year throughout the year at various state hospitals across the country. Both the IMA and PCSA support this project by paying for doctors and nurses and sometimes even volunteering themselves.
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