MTN Foundation supports Eswatini Health Ministry’s Cataract Project

Eswatini MTN Foundation has donated an amount of E200, 000 to the Eswatini Minister of Health, Lizzie Nkosi, toward the Health Ministry’s Cataract Project.

The project is based at the Mbabane Government Hospital. It has benefitted mostly the elderly afflicted by cataracts, an eye condition that is also one of the leading causes of blindness.

Representing the Health Minister during the presentation, Dr. Vusi Magagula noted that "In addition to the support for surgical procedures to remove cataracts, the project has also been instrumental in ensuring an uninterrupted supply of eye medication, consumables, and surgical instruments. In 2015, MTN donated a 15-seater minibus towards the project."

According to him, upon screening and identification of cataract patients in communities, the bus is utilized to ferry these patients to Mbabane Government Hospital for surgery and back to their communities post-surgery at no charge.

“This has significantly bridged the distance and transport cost barriers for patients, many of whom are needy," he said.

In her remarks, the Chairperson for MTN Foundation, Busisiwe Simelane reiterated that "This is the kind of partnership that MTN Foundation stands for, where there are real-life experiences and where lives are saved. On that note, I would like to sincerely thank and congratulate you for the great job you do."

By: Randall Dankwa