SOUTH AFRICA—Metropolitan Health has entered into a strategic partnership with the SA Red Cross Air Mercy Service (AMS), a non-profit aero-medical organization, to significantly improve the vision and overall quality of life for underserved communities across South Africa.
Under this partnership, AMS will provide essential medical services to remote and marginalized communities throughout the country.
By leveraging aviation and other resources, AMS ensures that critical health services, including eye care, are accessible to those in need, regardless of their location.
This collaboration has already resulted in Momentum’s health business donating funds for eye screenings, refractions, and spectacles to recipients during August, with plans to continue offering these services in the coming months.
This initiative is particularly vital in South Africa, where 80% of the population relies on public healthcare, and issues related to eye health often go unnoticed.
The disparity in access to eye care is further exacerbated by the fact that most eye care professionals operate in the private sector, making accessible eye care a privilege for only 20% of the population.
According to a survey conducted by Statistics South Africa, only about 9.2% of the population uses spectacles as a corrective measure, which is concerning given that visual impairment ranks as the most prevalent disability, affecting 10.3% of South Africans.
Vision care is an essential aspect of overall health and well-being. Poor vision can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life, affecting their ability to work, learn, and engage in daily activities.
By providing spectacles to those in need, this partnership not only aims to improve the vision of many but also to create opportunities for education and employment, thereby enhancing the overall quality of life for South Africans.
Commenting on the partnership, Ali Hamdulay, Chief Executive Officer of Metropolitan Health, emphasized that this initiative is not just about enhancing vision but also about empowering individuals to lead more productive and fulfilling lives.
He noted that Metropolitan Health’s approach to Corporate Social Investment (CSI) projects is grounded in a commitment to delivering long-term, sustainable impact.
By addressing critical health needs, the organization continues to support initiatives that promote community well-being and development.
Adding to this, Farhaad Haffejee, Chief Executive Officer of AMS, highlighted that this partnership aims to extend AMS’s reach and make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and communities.
He explained that their close collaboration with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health and Metropolitan Health is crucial to ensuring that their outreach program has a lasting and sustainable impact on these underserved communities.
By focusing on eye care in rural areas, the program aims to improve overall health and quality of life, bridging the gap in access to essential healthcare services and ensuring that even the most remote areas receive the support they need.
Haffejee also emphasized that by concentrating on these underserved populations, AMS and its partners are addressing critical health needs and strengthening their commitment to providing equitable healthcare across South Africa.
He concluded by expressing his gratitude to Metropolitan Health for this valuable partnership, which significantly contributes to social impact in the country.
Hamdulay echoed these sentiments, stating that this collaboration exemplifies Metropolitan Health’s dedication to improving health outcomes and fostering sustainable development.
He added that the organization looks forward to working closely with AMS and other partners to continue addressing critical health needs and creating lasting change, ultimately building a healthier, more equitable future for all South Africans.
Sign up to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World HERE
