For Dora Daniels of Grabouw the world suddenly became crystal clear again after two years of waiting and struggling with deteriorating vision. She was among 20 fortunate residents of the Overberg who had their eyesight restored through cataract surgeries during a remarkable three-day healthcare outreach that brought hope and healing directly to their doorstep.
The transformative initiative, which took place from 25 to 27 September at Eerste River Hospital, represents the power of collaboration between academia, government and community organisations. Led by Stellenbosch University in partnership with the University of the Western Cape and students from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, the programme delivered far more than just eye surgery. It brought comprehensive health-care services to hundreds of residents in the Theewaterskloof region.
“I struggled with poor eyesight for years and waited two long years for the cataract surgery,” said Daniels. “Today I am so happy I can finally see clearly!” Her joy echoes that of 19 other patients who experienced the life-changing gift of restored vision, while approximately 200 community members benefited from dental-health services including extractions, cleanings, fillings, and screenings. The outreach extended beyond medical procedures to include eye screenings and spectacle fittings for local children, ultrasound training for ten regional doctors, and even infrastructure improvements at Caledon Hospital.
Undergraduate health sciences students from SU joined Right to Care community health workers on home visits to 14 elderly residents of Knoflokskraal, a Khoi agricultural settlement. Al-Imdaad Foundation also provided food parcels to these households.
“We are grateful to Western Cape Government: Health and Wellness, our partners, and the communities of Theewaterskloof,” said Dr Therese Fish, Vice Dean: Clinical Services and Social Impact for SU’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, “as this initiative embodies a critical component of our university’s vision, to serve society. Their inspiration for the event was to serve as they learn, and to learn as they serve.”
Beyond health-care support, a group of postgraduate engineering students and staff members from SU contributed to minor infrastructure improvements at Caledon Hospital. They repaired lighting and equipment (including two blood-pressure monitors and a theatre bed) and addressed other small maintenance issues that improved the hospital’s functionality. “We’re so happy just to make a difference here,” said Mr Peter Conradie, an engineering employee at SU. “It’s also the first time for the students to experience working inside a hospital. SU students also participated in observational ward rounds at Caledon Hospital, where they witnessed real-time clinical workflows, engaged with hospital staff and deepened their understanding of patient care in a district hospital setting.”
There were also various activities aimed at strengthening the local health system, including point-of-care ultrasound training, clinicians-as-teachers training, infection prevention and control, antimicrobial stewardship training, and emergency care in-situation simulation in clinical settings.
“This event demonstrates what can be achieved when government, academia, and civil society work together,” said Dr Trevor Pillay, Theewaterskloof Subdistrict Medical Manager.
