At Frontier Regional Hospital on 8 June 2009 the management welcomed the Australian High Commissioner Ms Ann Harrap who is expected to have a series of meeting with different institutions in the Eastern Cape.
The main aim of her visit to Frontier Hospital was to get a report from the management regarding the Eastern Cape Department of Health priorities, the Eastern Cape Blindness Prevention Partnership Programme and to tour Sabona Eye Centre the outcome of the partnership between Fred Hollows Foundation South Africa and the Eastern Cape Department of Health.
The hospital management presented among other things how the eye centre was integrated to revitalisation programme as it was not initially part of the plan, but as the positive result Fred Hollows Foundation made to the eye centre operations.
They highlighted as well the challenges like the skilled staffing shortage, budget constraints and the centre sustainability. The out reach programme impact that might be positive or negative as it is one of the needed programmes.
The team presented as well the Eastern Cape Blindness Prevention Partnership Programme as guided by vision 2020 which aims at increasing access of the poor and marginalised people to quality eye care services, while strengthening the public health delivery system to provide comprehensive eye care.
The Australian High Commissioner Ms Ann Harrap during Sabona site visit was visibly very excited. The commissioner at the end of the site visit thanked the institution for giving her the information and the opportunity to tour the hospital saying it was an eye opener.
Issued by: Department of Health, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
17 June 2009
Source: Department of Health, Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecdoh.gov.za)
