MEC OPENS BIGGER, BETTER LOCAL EYE CLINIC

By: Thulisiwe Zulu

Twitter: @ZuluThulisiwe

Email: zuluminenhle16@gmail.com 

On the 7^th of September 2023, the Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has officially opened the newly renovated Odi District Hospital Eye Clinic.

The hospital’s previous eye clinic operated in one big room with no consultation units. This limited the eye care services offered to the community of Mabopane and surrounding areas, as there were no consulting rooms to accommodate optometrists, ophthalmologists, and ophthalmic nurses, as well as storage for equipment.

The Gauteng MEC, Nobantu Nkomo-Ralehoko said, “this clinic represent not just bricks and water but symbol of hope, compassion, promise of the brighter future. In the world where the pace of life seem to be ever accelerated, it is moments like these around us that remind us of what truly matters. So, this clinic is not just a physical structure, it is a testament of power of collaboration, power of education and the commitment of the community that cares.”

The Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness opening the Eye Clinic.

                                         Image by Thulisiwe Zulu

The newly renovated eye clinic is part is of a donation from the One Sight Foundation. It comes with state-of-the-art equipment including an auto refractor, refractor, retinoscope and ophthalmoscope amongst others. The new clinic also has consulting rooms for acuity tests, spectacle storage and spacious reception area for patients.

There was a team for the Gauteng MEC, which is “I serve with a smile” they are not just a choir, they are the officials of the department from the hospitals in the province. The MEC was the one launching this campaign for the purpose of all hospitals to serve people with a smile and care. They are the ambassadors of this campaign that she have launched.

                           

The “I serve with a smile” team singing to welcome the Gauteng MEC.

Image by Thulisiwe Zulu

Dr Avhapfani Musie, the CAO for the Odi Hospital said, “the benefits of the clinic itself as we said, its sufficient service delivery, increase consulting rooms, and a proper waiting area for patients as well as induction of patients waiting time.”

The programe manager, Miss Maswangani was the one to sponsor the Odi Hospital, they donated equipment and all the necessary I-care products for this hospital to be functional. This will indeed help the community.

Miss Maswangani said, “the outcome we are expecting from this partnership with the government, we want to see more patients coming in, we want to see patients being able to access the vision centre which is the clinic, we want to see people getting glasses and being helped for their vision programme. We basically bring awareness around community about the importance vision and also affordability to patients because we do not charge much for the spectacles.” More patients are expected to this eye clinic.

Gauteng MEC with the Odi Hospitall stuff members inside the Eye Clinic.

                                                 Image by Thulisiwe Zulu