Several residents have expressed frustration after learning that Dundee Provincial Hospital no longer provides spectacles, despite continuing to collect consultation fees from patients seeking eye care.

A concerned local resident, who spoke this week to the Courier on condition of anonymity, shared their experience of being directed through the usual administrative process – receiving a hospital card, paying a consultation fee, and waiting to see an eye specialist – only to be told that the hospital has stopped issuing spectacles altogether.

“It’s a complete waste of time,” said the resident. “They asked what I had come for at the payment counter, but no one informed me that glasses were no longer provided. I paid, queued, and only found out later that I’d get no help – and no refund.”

The resident wonders if other patients have had similar experiences, calling for more transparency at the point of entry.
Responding, Dr Imran Keeka (the DA’s spokesperson on health in KZN) told the Courier he was aware that many hospitals could no longer provide eye treatment services, including the provision of glasses.

“The matter brought up by the Dundee patient needs to be probed. I will write to the department to look into the matter.
“They will need to engage with the person, especially around the money that was charged and a service not delivered. Several aspects of the incident will need to be established before any outcome or steps can be commented on.”

The Courier has reached out to the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health for official comment on whether this policy applies to other public hospitals across the province.
At the time of going to press, no response had been received.

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