Tomorrow morning, Gauteng Health and Social Development MEC Ntombi Mekgwe will witness a corneal transplant procedure where two children who were partially blinded as a result of corneal scarring are given a gift of sight at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.
The young Thandiwe Sekwane nine and Hlulani Matsabe eight were identified during visits to schools by health workers from the department. They were then referred to Charlotte Maxeke where they were diagnosed by an eye specialist.
Corneal scarring is a condition that leads to blindness if a cornea is not donated to replace the scarred cornea. A number of people who are blind due to the condition are young children who suffer vernal conjunctivitis that makes them scratch their eyes constantly and most of them are in impoverished areas. The condition leads to permanent blindness and total disability.
The person affected cannot continue with everyday activities, cannot study in a mainstream school and has to rely on other people to assist him with everything. A child’s future is bleak after being diagnosed with the condition.
During this life changing operation, a cornea from a donor is used to replace the patient’s cornea to restore sight. Corneas are only imported from countries like United States of America and each cost R25 000.
Public Private Partnership between the department and Ster-Kinekor is making it possible to school going children to receive the gift of sight and avoid blindness.
Details of the operation are as follows:
Date: Wednesday, 8 December 2010
Time: 07h30
Venue: Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital (Park at Visitors Parking, park closest to green walls, take lift to level 5. Turn left, pass area 456 and area 457 then turn left to level 458).
Enquiries:
Simon Zwane
Cell: 082 551 9892
