Bishop Dube, a man making a difference by providing community education and support on HIV and tuberculosis (TB), has had his vision restored and is back to inspiring and empowering others with awareness in Diepsloot.
“Now I can see. If it were not for the Netcare Foundation and Dr Sachin Bawa, I would still be a blind man,” says Mr Dube, 69, one of the latest beneficiaries of a cataract surgery programme made possible by the Netcare Foundation and iSurgeon Specialist Eye Clinic, known as the Gift of Sight programme.
| Pic: Bishop Dube and Jeff White |
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“I was completely blind before, but this operation saved my life. I hope this initiative helps others to see again, just like it helped me,” he says, having returned to his vital work with The Family Africa, a registered non-profit organisation (NPO).
Mr Dube’s cataracts were successfully removed from both eyes on the same day last month at the iSurgeon Specialist Eye Clinic. Through the Gift of Sight programme, Netcare’s corporate social investment (CSI) arm, the Netcare Foundation, and community-minded specialists, including Dr Bawa, Dr Kashmira Rawjee, Dr Angelika Carey and Dr Asvira Moodley, have assisted more than 5 413 people with cataract procedures since its inception in 2005.
“Bishop is one of those rare individuals who can inspire others to work together to change things for the better,” adds Jeff White, director of the faith-based NPO’s HIV and TB education, support and testing initiative.
“We are so thankful to have his help in the volunteer HIV support work we do in Diepsloot, one of the most densely populated and disadvantaged communities. Before he had this life-changing surgery, Bishop had gone completely blind. Today, he can see perfectly! What a miracle,” he says.
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Cataracts silently stealing sight
Dr Bawa, a longstanding partner on the Netcare Foundation’s Gift of Sight programme, which provides cataract surgery to people in need through private sector support, explains that cataracts develop when proteins in the eye’s lens clump together, causing cloudiness that blocks or scatters light and can eventually deprive the person of their vision.
“Cataracts are most often age-related, but they can occur in younger people who have certain risk factors, such as diabetes, chronic use of medications like corticosteroids, trauma to the eye, UV exposure without eye protection, and genetic issues,” Dr Bawa explains.
Symptoms of cataracts
- Cloudy, blurred, or dim vision
- Sensitivity to light and glare
- Seeing a ‘halo’ around lights
- Colours appear faded or less distinct
- Difficulty with night driving
- Frequent need for changes in prescription glasses.
“Although a range of painless options are available to address cataracts, tragically, they remain a leading cause of blindness worldwide. Although the symptoms may creep up gradually, almost imperceptibly, treatment should be sought as soon as they are noticed,” Dr Bawa says.
The surgery itself is a painless 20-minute procedure per affected eye. The cataract is removed through a 2.5 mm micro incision, and a new artificial lens, called an intraocular lens, is implanted.
Dr Bawa points out that if surgery for visually significant cataracts is delayed for too long, it becomes more challenging to treat and may increase the risk of complications.
Mande Toubkin, Netcare’s general manager of emergency, trauma, transplant and CSI, says restoring vision is one of the most practical forms of medical assistance. “Not only do these procedures help restore independence and enjoyment of life, through improving functional eyesight, they also help ensure that people like Mr Bishop Dube can play an active, valuable role in their communities once more,” she concludes.
Ends.
Notes to editors`
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For media enquiries, please contact MNA at the contact details listed below:
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Issued by:
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MNA on behalf of the Netcare Foundation
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For media enquiries contact:
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Martina Nicholson, Meggan Saville, Estene Lotriet-Vorster,
Clementine Forsthofer or Natasha Burger
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Telephone:
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011 469 3016
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Email:
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[email protected]
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