Staff at the Cure Day Hospital in Bloemfontein participated in a Cataract Blitz on Tuesday, 31 October, providing free operations for 23 qualifying patients.
Prof. Wayne Marais, head of the department of ophthalmology, says many patients receive cataract operations in the public health system.
“However, the need is by far more than what can be provided. This is an operation that takes just a few minutes and can change a patient’s life,” Marais said at the blitz.
He was joined by ophthalmologists Dr Shelley Barrett and Dr Niel van Wyk, based at the Cure Day Hospital, as well as staff who provided their time and skills, and the hospital gave the medical staff free access to theatres, equipment, and medical stock.
Dr Marnus Booyens of the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Department of Anaesthesiology, together with Dr Henk van Rooyen, Dr Christo Bekker, and Dr Johannes van der Westhuizen, all also provided their services for free.
The doctors evaluated prospective cataract patients and scheduled them for a free procedure.
Christie Malan, marketing officer at the hospital, says cataract blindness is a reversible condition.
“Only a local unaesthetic is required and the surgery is completed relatively quickly. Patients are then discharged the same day, with follow-up visits with the ophthalmologist soon after.”
