A massive backlog of nearly 500 cataract surgeries in the Western Cape has been wiped out, thanks to the efforts of Gift of the Givers, some friends, as well as the generosity of local farmers, reports TimesLIVE.
The charitable organisation’s Dr Naeem Kathrada said about R1m had been spent on the campaign to slash the list of eye patients awaiting the procedures.
“We were at the Eerste River Hospital during Covid for a visit, and had helped them with refurbishing some infrastructure,” Kathrada said. “Recently, a doctor approached us and said they were trying to raise funds to tackle their backlog of cataract operations.”
Although relatively easy and fast, the surgeries still come with a price.
“One of these operations can take seven minutes, but they cost about R2 000 each. We’ve helped with 463 cataract ops since then – about R1m well spent, I would say.”
The organisation also helped with refurbishment, and from one tiny ophthalmology room, this has now grown to six, he said. But the 463 surgeries did not only include Eerste River patients.
“We cleared Victoria Hospital’s cases and cases from Hermanus and Touwsrivier. In 2022 when we visited Touwsrivier for dental patients, we had to turn away about 300 patients needing eye care,” Kathrada said.
They went back again in May this year, this time with an ophthalmology team and portable unit. “We screened more than 300 people and 100 received free glasses. About 60 of the 63 cataract patients came from there.”
The average waiting time for cataract surgery is five to seven years.
Local farmers also pitched in, Kathrada added. “After we had finished, we saw there was still more need so we spoke to local farmers in the Hermanus/Overberg area. They then raised funds and another 60-odd surgeries could be done.”
Dr David Steven, head of ophthalmology at Eerste River Hospital, said that without the support of a combination of Gift of the Givers, the Radiance Foundation and the Department of Health, “we would not have been able to work our surgical lists sustainably”.
He said the operations had to be done on Saturdays, so several surgeons had given their time. “Because of Gift of the Givers and the Radiance Foundation, we could pay people to do the work.
“Every person who worked − from the cleaners and the nurses to the surgeons – received the same pay. That helped a lot.”
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
Prioritise cataract surgeries, urge SA experts as backlogs build up
Cataract surgery under pressure — SA Ophthalmological Society
SA’s surgical backlog: 14,000 patients wait two years for 40-minute cataract procedure