Old Mutual Partners with Eye Institute to Launch Eye Health Initiative in Zimbabwe
Harare — A groundbreaking initiative is on the horizon for Zimbabwe as Old Mutual teams up with the Eye Institute, founded by the visionary Dr. Ron Mhizha, to enhance eye health services across the nation. This partnership marks a significant commitment to improving healthcare access for vulnerable populations, particularly pensioners, and aims to address the pressing issue of eye health in the region.
The collaboration will kick off with a pilot program in the scenic region of Manicaland, setting the stage for transformative community healthcare enhancements. This initiative aligns seamlessly with Zimbabwe’s National Eye Health Strategy 2021-2025, which was meticulously designed to combat primary causes of blindness in Zimbabwe, including cataracts, glaucoma, and eye trauma. Building upon the foundations laid in the previous strategy (2014-2018), the current plan emphasizes sustainable and accessible eye care—aiming to prevent avoidable blindness through a comprehensive approach that involves preventive, therapeutic, and rehabilitative services.
Old Mutual’s participation reflects its dedication to responsible corporate practices and social good, especially in underprivileged communities where healthcare access has historically been limited. The partnership will prioritize critical services like screenings, treatments, and surgeries, effectively addressing conditions that are preventable or treatable.
Mark your calendars! An Eye Camp is scheduled from October 21 to October 25, 2024, where a series of cataract surgeries and other essential eye procedures will take place. Awareness and patient identification efforts have been ramped up through wellness and eye-screening programs in collaboration with organizations like Eastern Highlands Trust and Guta Clinic, helping to clear the backlog of individuals in dire need of surgical intervention.
Lillian Mbayiwa, Head Executive of Public Affairs and Sustainability at Old Mutual Zimbabwe, expressed the organization’s commitment to community health. “Through partnerships like the one with The Eye Institute, we are dedicated to fostering health and vitality for all Zimbabweans,” said Mbayiwa. “Our vision is clear: everyone deserves the opportunity to see the world with clarity, and we are proud to expand healthcare access, especially in rural areas.”
With over two decades of expertise, the Eye Institute is poised to deliver exceptional eye care in this partnership, reinforcing government efforts along with support from donor organizations such as the Council for the Blind. During the pilot program, an extraordinary team of surgeons, optometrists, and dispensing opticians will conduct screenings for presbyopia and perform up to 100 cataract surgeries.
This collaboration is not just about improving individual eye health; it embodies a broader commitment to health equity and community empowerment. By facilitating greater access to essential eye care, this initiative promises to shape a healthier, more visually inclusive future for all Zimbabweans.
For more engaging updates on transformative initiatives like this, keep following Africazine.
#Zimbabwe #EyeHealth #HealthCareAccess #OldMutual #CommunityDevelopment #WorldNews
