Flight for Sight
Story by Dr Hettie Kruger - Volunteer ophthalmologist for Flying for Life
It is estimated that nearly half of avoidable blindness can be accounted for by cataracts. The World Health Organization has estimated that 20 million people worldwide are blind from cataracts in both eyes of which 90% reside in developing countries. In South Africa’s rural population, it is estimated that there are more than 27 000 patients going blind each year as a result of cataracts. These statistics reveal a profound societal economic impact through the loss of productivity.
Through the cost-effective cataract surgery that Flying for Life offers in conjunction with Prof Roux, significant improvement in the quality of social and economic wellbeing can be well within reach for the community In Venda.
The Vhembe District alone currently has a backlog of over 800 patients waiting for cataract surgery with a waiting time of over one year. The Flying for Life Venda outreach helps to alleviate this burden of disease by providing approximately 150 cataract surgeries per year. The magnitude of this project impacts the community on a large scale as some of these patients have been blind for many years and will now be able to contribute to their family instead of being taken care of.
In addition to organising monthly surgical outreaches, surgical supplies are also donated to another nearby hospital.
It is with the same magnitude that patients’ lives are changed that the outreach also changes the lives of its volunteers.
Please note, this story takes place in 2019.
Dr Hettie Kruger shares, “In August 2017, I incidentally got to know about the outreach from colleagues at the Louis Trichardt Hospital, where I was stationed during my community service year as a medical doctor. Attending the first outreach out of curiosity, unknowingly the experience sparked an interest in ophthalmology and a passion for the rural community of Limpopo,”
“Humbled by the gratitude of patients and inspired by the doctors in the operating room, I took it upon myself to pursue a career in ophthalmology. As a bursary holder of the Limpopo Province, I was subsequently stationed at one of the hospitals and per special request was allowed to work in the ophthalmology department alongside Dr Mathai, one of only a few doctors in Limpopo skilled in ophthalmology. As there are no formal training institutions for doctors in ophthalmology in Limpopo, Flying for Life has been a platform for skills training and academic discussion during my first year working in ophthalmology. “
“Besides assisting with the challenges faced by resource constraints, the Flying for Life team provided a network of support and encouragement to me where I was stationed in a resource deprived setting. At times one would feel overwhelmed and disheartened when working in an environment where the demand for cataract surgery by far outweighs the supply of skilled doctors, nursing staff and equipment. By having regular contact with the Flying for Life team, there was hope and a renewed determination to make a difference in the lives of patients.”
It is truly a life changing outreach
“While I am now recently stationed at a in Johannesburg as a trainee doctor in ophthalmology, I still attend monthly outreaches to Venda with the Flying for Life team. It is truly a life changing outreach… and once I have completed formal training in ophthalmology I intend to return to the most beautiful Vhembe District, to continue the good work that Flying for Life has started and hopefully to be involved in the training and encouragement of more doctors in order to win the battle against preventable blindness.”