05 Jun 2022

The local Ophthalmology team has been applauded for successfully operating on 689 cataract patients within 19 days.

In his remarks during the National Cataract Surgery Campaign launch and closing ceremony at Mahalapye District Hospital Friday, the Assistant Minister of Health, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe expressed delight that the team managed to successfully beat the initial set target of 600 cataract surgeries. 

He said the campaign, which began on May 9 ending on June 3 had helped to restore sight to the patients. 

“My sincere gratitude goes to those ophthalmic nurses from different health facilities who identified patients and participated in the screening, surgeries as well as the transportation of patients to the operating centre,” he said. 

The assistant minister said there had been a noticeable increase in the number of children and adults with visual impairment, cataracts being the main cause.

To address the 7 000 cataract patients' backlog exacerbated by the pandemic, the ministry had stepped up efforts to conduct national caratact surgery campaigns through local Ophthalmology teams and international collaborating partners, like Doctors For Life.

 “Our aim is to ensure that 7 000 surgeries are performed around the country this financial year,” he added.

The second major campaign, he said would be at Scottish Livingstone Hospital, in Molepolole, from August 1 through27, whilst the third and fourth campaigns would be in Maun and Molepolole again. Additionally, there would be routine surgeries at Sekgoma and Letsholathebe Memorial Hospitals, followed by outreaches to other districts and primary hospitals.

He said to make the campaign a success, the ministry had engaged other partners like World Health Organisation, adding that plans were at an advanced stage to bring more ophthalmologists into the country. 

On long term plans, the assistant minister said the ministry continued to send more doctors and nurses to train as eye specialists and eye nurses.

Currently, he said there were four local doctors training as eye specialists in Zambia and Kenya, whilst two had recently completed their training. Furthermore, he said six nurses and four more doctors would also be sent for further training this year.

Mahalapye East MP Mr Yandani Boko thanked all stakeholders who made the campaign a success, adding that restoring one’s sight was a good thing that also helped restore one’s dignity. 

The ceremony was also graced by Mahalapye chief, Kgosi Duncan Segotsi, Ministry of Health deputy permanent secretary Dr Tshepo Machacha, Mahalapye Sub-District Council chairperson Mr Bantlhasetse Merementsi and Sub-District Council senior assistant council secretary Ms Gomolemo Moepeng. ENDS