Jubilee District Hospital opens eye clinic to restore sight in Hammanskraal
A specialised public-private partnership brings cutting-edge cataract surgery and vision screening closer to local residents.
Residents of Hammanskraal and surrounding communities will have improved access to eye-care services following the official launch of a new eye clinic at Jubilee District Hospital on October 30.
The facility was established through a partnership between the Gauteng Department of Health and Orbis International to strengthen essential eye-care services and prevent avoidable blindness.
Speaking at the launch, the eye care manager of the Gauteng Department of Health, Virginia Magalela, said communities deserved healthcare facilities that treated patients with dignity.
The clinic is equipped with 17 rooms, including doctors’ consultation rooms, an optometry consultation room, a dedicated refraction and testing room, an investigation room and a post-operative room.
According to the department, the improvements also include drywall partitions, doors and burglar doors to support the facility’s operations.
The clinic will provide eye examinations, refraction services and assessments for various eye conditions, including cataracts. Patients requiring corrective eyewear will also be able to access spectacles through the provision.
Advanced surgical equipment
A key addition is a state-of-the-art phacoemulsification machine donated by Orbis International, which uses ultrasound technology to remove cataracts through a smaller incision of about 2.5mm, supporting more advanced cataract surgery and strengthening the hospital’s eye-care services.
Dr Dasual Lesola, an ophthalmologist at Jubilee District Hospital, said the equipment would improve the hospital’s ability to provide specialised treatment.
“As part of the opening, 50 pairs of spectacles were handed over to patients requiring assistance with their vision. The hospital also conducted 30 cataract surgeries between October 19 and 23,” said Lesola.
Comprehensive patient screening
Patients attending the launch further benefited from visual acuity testing, eye examinations and pressure testing to identify possible signs of glaucoma.
Retinal examinations were also conducted to check for damage to blood vessels at the back of the eye, which can be associated with diabetes.
The department said its partnership with Orbis International went beyond providing equipment and included specialised training, mentorship and investment in the healthcare workforce.
Orbis chief regional officer for Africa Dorothy Mavhiri said the partnership supported cataract surgery by providing specialised equipment, surgical consumables and upskilling specialists.
The expanded clinic is expected to strengthen access to eye-health services in Hammanskraal and neighbouring communities, supporting the early detection and treatment of eye conditions while helping prevent avoidable blindness.
Retinal examinations were also conducted to check for damage to the blood vessels at the back of the eye, which can be associated with diabetes. Photo: Supplied
Dr Dasual Lesola, an ophthalmologist at Jubilee District Hospital, said the equipment would improve the hospital’s ability to provide specialised treatment. Photo: Supplied
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