The Zoutpansberg Private Hospital in Makhado (Louis Trichardt) has embarked on an ambitious project to celebrate Mandela Day on 18 July this year.

They plan to provide 10 free operations to 10 eye patients in need of urgent eye surgery. Eight of the 10 patients, all from different racial and cultural backgrounds, have already been identified.

These operations will be performed free of charge by two eye surgeons, while the services of the anaesthetist are also free. The hospital itself will supply the theatre and theatre personnel at no cost.

A major stumbling block at this stage, however, is the cost of the theatre packs needed for the operations. Due to the specialized nature of these packs, which include, among others, the eye lenses, surgical tools and consumables needed for the operations, it is unlikely that the hospital will get these packs sponsored. The packs  cost R10 000 each on average.

With regard to their Mandela Day project, 10 packs need to be purchased beforehand at a cost of R100 000. This is where residents and businesses can make a difference in the spirit of Mandela Day.

Persons wishing to contribute financially to the project do not necessarily have to donate the whole of R10 000. “You can donate any amount. We’ll add all the donations and purchase the packs from the total amount,” says Ms Anneke Stroebel of the Zoutpansberg Private Hospital. She adds that the public is also welcome to support the project by sponsoring their services, such as helping out in providing transport for the patients to and from the hospital. A hospitality tent is also envisaged where family members can wait, and an hotel has already indicated that it will be providing some free snacks for both the patients and their family.

“We would really appreciate your support of this project,” says Stroebel.

For more information, phone Stroebel at Tel 015 516 0720 extension 6 or 083 326 6073.