An astounding 21000 patients are waiting at Gauteng health facilities for spectacles to improve their vision, sometimes for as long as 13 months.
The DA Gauteng is appalled by this failure which leads to poor and deteriorating vision which causes trauma to the patients and their loved ones.
According to Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, 20 hospitals, 28 community health centres and 62 clinics can diagnose and provide spectacles for patients with eye problems.
The worst waiting time is at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital, where 901 patients wait 13 months for spectacles.
At the Johan Heyns, Levi Mbatha and Sharpeville Community Health Centres (CHCs) in the Vaal area, 2569 patients wait for 11 months.
In Johannesburg, the waiting time for 898 patients at Mofolo CHC and 571 patients at Alexandra CHC is ten months.
In the Tshwane Health District, 5666 patients in total wait 9 months, with big numbers at the following facilities:
Mamelodi Hospital – 1120 patients
Tshwane District Hospital – 1072 patients
Odi Hospital – 714 patients
Kalafong Hospital – 607 patients
Jubilee Hospital – 525 patients
Pretoria West Hospital- 392 patients
Laudium CHC – 271 patients
Olievenhoutbosch Ext 13 Clinic – 218 patients
Jack Hindon Clinic – 144 patients
The least waiting time is at 20 clinics in the West Rand where patients only wait for one month.
Also, good news is that children do not wait longer than three weeks as the department works with donors and partners to ensure they get spectacles speedily.
I asked whether the backlog is because spectacle and lens suppliers have not been paid, but the department says I need to direct this question to finance, which probably means it is true.
The department says they have a process in place to procure most spectacle items on contract and expect to eliminate the backlog by the end of October for most of the facilities.
I am puzzled by the widely differing waiting times for spectacles – why is it only one month at certain clinics, but 13 months at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital?
A DA-run administration would ensure proper contracts are in place for the supply of spectacles, and no supplies are disrupted because of non-payment.