Gauteng, South Africa 

For the past 20 years, donations from the Muslim and Pakistani communities in South Africa have contributed to drive a critical cataract operations project to restore sight for communities in Gauteng and to support the crippled Gauteng Department of Health at the same time. 

The project called From Darkness to Light, is spearheaded by The Islamic Medical Association of South Africa (IMASA) together with the Islamic Circle of Southern Africa (ICSA) and Awqaf SA. The charities have raised money and given support to ophthalmologists and nurses to perform 12 500 free cataract operations for over two decades. These teams have saved people’s sight and improved their quality of life. Their efforts have also helped the Gauteng Department of Health clear massive cataract operation backlogs. 

This community-funded and volunteer-driven initiative has been headed by Dr Shabbir Hussain, head of ophthalmology at Leratong Hospital in Randfontein on the West Rand. It is a project that has shown the success of long-term commitment from a community and the benefits of successful partnerships between government and private stakeholders.

What was the problem?

An estimated 85 percent of South Africans rely on the public healthcare system. Many citizens simply can’t afford private healthcare and the R20 000 to R30 000 needed for cataract operations. Also, the waiting times for a cataract procedure in the Gauteng public sector hospitals can be close to two years. The health department has not been running optimally for years. Its resource failings include equipment shortages, staff shortages and poor administration of patients who linger on the government system. It means thousands of people are left on waiting lists. 

Cataracts can lead to blindness and can mean a loss of quality of life, the ability to seek work and adds to mental health strain. The burden on the economy and on the public healthcare systems are also considerable. It makes cataracts and the loss of vision a major public health concern. 

How are they solving it?

The project raises funds to pay for the artificial lenses that are implanted into the eye once a cloudy lens is removed. Their funding also covers theatre consumables, eye care packs, microscopes, and payments to doctors and nurses and other support staff to work over weekends for the cataract “blitzes”.

The blitzes are done one weekend a month, outside of regular hospital hours, performing cataract procedures on a large number of people over the two-day period. All the patients return a few days later for a check-up and an after-care information session.

Over the 20 years these teams have registered close to 100 percent success rate and continue to grow the project as a critical effort to support the healthcare needs of Gauteng’s people. 

What makes it work?

Reaching out to broader society

The project is grounded in religious roots and faith but its benefits are intended for anyone in need. 

Supporting volunteers

The project relies on people who understand the need for the project to succeed, but also understands that doctors, nurses and support staff need to be remunerated fairly in order for the project to be properly run and to be sustainable. 

Leveraging good reputations

The From Darkness to Light project has built up a strong track record for 20 years, which has allowed it to be trusted by individuals and businesses who choose to donate. 

Public-Private partnerships

The cataract camps take place at government hospitals and facilities. It means that building strong working relationships is critical to make the project successful.

Regular updates

The faith-based charitable organisations communicate regularly via social media and newsletters about the project, including feedback from patients. 

Acknowledgements

Author: FixLocal Reporter

Additional articles/ sources: In-depth: What is behind the massive cataract surgery backlogs in Gauteng? 

IMASA Cataract newsletter 2025 

Photograph: Spotlight