The Smile and See Foundation, a Belgium-based organization, provided life-changing cataract surgeries for visually impaired patients at the Vredendal Hospital Eye Care Centre in South Africa. Their week-long efforts successfully carried out 102 surgeries, restoring sight and providing an opportunity for patients to remain economically active and function autonomously. The transformative power of global collaboration between different organizations and individuals was evident in this inspiring instance of unity and teamwork. The impact of these surgeries extends well beyond the improvement of eye health alone, providing a lifeline to numerous families.
What is the Smile and See Foundation and what did they achieve at Vredendal Hospital Eye Care Centre?
The Smile and See Foundation, a Belgium-based organization, provided a week of dedicated work at Vredendal Hospital Eye Care Centre in South Africa in October 2023. They successfully carried out 102 cataract surgeries, providing a new lease on life for those with visual impairments. This intervention not only restored sight but also provided an opportunity for patients to remain economically active and function autonomously. This was made possible through the transformative power of global collaboration between different organizations and individuals.
In the middle of October 2023, a glimmer of hope appeared for the patients with visual impairments at the Vredendal Hospital Eye Care Centre in South Africa. A group of healthcare professionals from the Smile and See Foundation, an organization based in Belgium, visited the hospital for a week of dedicated work. From October 16 to 20, they successfully carried out 102 cataract surgeries, providing a fresh start for those who had lost their ability to see.
The healthcare team was comprised of a skilled combination of three ophthalmologists, one optometrist, and two assistants. Demonstrating their dedication to the cause, the Smile and See Foundation also supplied all the necessary materials for the surgeries. The patients who benefited from these procedures had reached a point in their condition where their vision had considerably worsened.
Dr. Magdel Putter, an ophthalmologist at Paarl Hospital, frequently works with Vredendal Eye Care Centre. She offered her perspective on the importance of this endeavor: “We carry out 20 to 40 cataract operations monthly at Vredendal Hospital. These surgeries have not been performed as usual for the past four years due to various contributing factors, which include COVID-19, personnel shortages, and consumable shortages,” she said. These challenges have resulted in over 1,000 patients currently on the waiting list for sight-restoring surgery at Vredendal.
The impact of these surgeries extends well beyond the improvement of eye health alone. Dr. Putter emphasized the wider implications of the procedures: “These surgeries allow patients to regain their vision, remain economically active, and function autonomously. Many of these patients are the sole breadwinners and lose their jobs because of cataracts.” In this context, the efforts of the Smile and See Foundation not only restored sight but also provided a lifeline to numerous families.
Expressing her deep gratitude, Dr. Putter recognized the local and international contributors who played a role in the week’s success. Special recognition was given to Rudi Du Pont and Pietie van Aarde of the Paarl Rotarian Clubs, who committed their personal time and effort to assist those in need. The cooperation between various organizations and individuals was an inspiring instance of unity and teamwork, surpassing borders to achieve a common objective.
Dr. Putter conveyed her heartfelt thanks to the Belgian team for their outstanding work: “A big thank you to the Belgium team for coming to perform the surgeries and sponsoring the consumables and lenses. They provided a service of the highest quality, and we are all very grateful for the time and effort they dedicated.” The devotion of the Smile and See Foundation and their partners was evident in their thorough planning and efficient execution of the surgeries.
The life-changing impact of the Smile and See Foundation’s intervention at Vredendal hospital cannot be overstated. Their work brought hope and renewed energy to those who had been left in the dark due to their condition. The efforts of this Belgian-based organization and its collaborators exemplify the incredible potential that arises when individuals and organizations from different parts of the world come together to make a difference.
In the future, these partnerships will continue to play an essential role in addressing the worldwide challenges of healthcare. The experience of Vredendal Hospital Eye Care Centre serves as a testament to the power of shared vision and commitment to improving the well-being of those in need. The legacy of this extraordinary week will continue to inspire similar initiatives, instilling hope and resilience in countless others on their journey to regain their sight and independence.
The Smile and See Foundation is a Belgium-based organization that provided a week of dedicated work at Vredendal Hospital Eye Care Centre in South Africa in October 2023. They successfully carried out 102 cataract surgeries, providing a new lease on life for those with visual impairments.
The Smile and See Foundation performed cataract surgeries.
They carried out 102 surgeries.
The surgeries not only restored sight but also provided an opportunity for patients to remain economically active and function autonomously. Many of the patients were sole breadwinners who had lost their jobs because of cataracts, so the surgeries provided a lifeline to numerous families.
The healthcare team was comprised of three ophthalmologists, one optometrist, and two assistants.
The shortages were due to various contributing factors, which include COVID-19, personnel shortages, and consumable shortages.
Local and international contributors played a role in the week’s success, including Rudi Du Pont and Pietie van Aarde of the Paarl Rotarian Clubs, who committed their personal time and effort to assist those in need.
The legacy of the Smile and See Foundation’s work at Vredendal Hospital Eye Care Centre will continue to inspire similar initiatives, instilling hope and resilience in countless others on their journey to regain their sight and independence.
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