Protecting sight before vision fades
Across the province, 305 clinics and six district hospitals offer primary eye health services.
Gauteng's Minister of Health and Wellness, Faith Mazibuko, emphasized the importance of bringing healthcare services directly to communities. This approach aims to create opportunities for education, early health concern identification, and community responsibility for wellbeing. The recent Siyabaphilisa community outreach in Winterveld, north of Pretoria, and Tshepong in Sebokeng exemplified this spirit.
By engaging residents where they live, the department strengthens its commitment to accessible healthcare, emphasizing prevention, early detection, and timely treatment. Diabetic retinopathy, a complication of diabetes that damages the retina, poses a significant risk of visual impairment and blindness. Early stages often show no noticeable changes in vision, making regular eye examinations crucial for those with diabetes.
The outreach witnessed participation from many community members, especially the elderly, highlighting the importance of accessible services. Gauteng has established mobile clinics and Health Posts to reach distant areas, aiming to integrate eye health into primary healthcare. The province currently has 305 clinics and six district hospitals offering primary eye health services.
Awareness campaigns target schoolchildren, the elderly, and those with disabilities, albinism, and other high-risk groups. The department emphasizes that regular retinal screening should be part of diabetes management and urges those experiencing sudden vision changes to seek urgent medical attention. As Eye Care Awareness Month approaches, the government remains committed to making eye health services accessible, equipping healthcare workers, and encouraging communities to prioritize eye care.
Written by urgent.news from SABC News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
