Serve as we learn

Seventy-three patients from the Langeberg region had their vision restored through cataract surgery as part of the InReach. The surgeries were performed at Worcester Hospital, where a mobile pop-up theatre made it possible to increase surgical capacity over a short period of time.

The initiative was delivered in partnership with Africa20Twenty, a non-profit organisation that provides access to cataract surgery across Africa, together with Western Cape Government Health and Wellness and the Al-Imdaad Foundation. Ophthalmologists from Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital carried out the procedures, while dedicated healthcare staff from the provincial health department played a crucial role in screening, preparing and supporting patients throughout the process. Al-Imdaad further supported the initiative by providing meal packs to patients on the day of surgery.

Cataract surgery can dramatically improve quality of life, restoring sight, independence and the ability to participate fully in daily activities. This intervention also helped reduce long waiting lists for cataract procedures in the region. The cataract team set an ambitious goal of completing 70 surgeries to mark the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences’ 70th anniversary, ultimately surpassing the target.

More than 50 students from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences supported primary healthcare professional nurses by helping to deliver essential services directly to communities in and around Robertson. Their involvement captured the spirit of the InReach approach, which places learning and service side by side through meaningful engagement with the public health system.

Over three days, undergraduate students from Occupational Therapy, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Medicine, Dietetics and Speech Therapy joined mobile clinic teams working across six communities, schools and childcare facilities in Robertson, Montagu and Bonnievale. 

In partnership with Western Cape Government Health and Wellness, students assisted with health screenings, immunisations, prevention and health promotion activities, eye screening and other frontline services that support early intervention and long-term wellbeing. By working alongside professional nurses, students gained hands on experience while helping to strengthen access to primary healthcare for local residents.

Eye screening formed an important part of the Langeberg InReach, with a strong focus on early detection and access to basic eye care. Ophthalmologists from Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital worked closely with optometrists from the South African Optometric Association, supported by the Cape Peninsula University of Technology’s Department of Ophthalmic Sciences, to reach children and adults across the region.

Teams visited schools in Robertson, Montagu and Bonnievale, as well as community members at the Robertson Civic Centre, ensuring that eye care services were taken directly to where people live and learn. In total, 266 eye screenings were conducted during the InReach, resulting in 215 pairs of spectacles being prescribed to patients with identified vision needs. Patients who required further assessment or specialised treatment were referred to Worcester, Eerste River and Tygerberg hospitals for ongoing ophthalmic care.

For many learners, improved vision can have a direct impact on concentration, learning and confidence in the classroom. Adults who received care also benefited from clearer sight, supporting their ability to work and manage daily activities. 

Dental care formed an important part of the Langeberg InReach, with a strong focus on improving access to oral health services for children. In partnership with the University of the Western Cape’s Faculty of Dentistry, mobile dental stations were set up at the Robertson Civic Centre, where 84 children received much needed care.

Services provided included extractions, fillings, fissure sealants, scale and polish treatments, fluoride applications and individual consultations. For many children, this was an opportunity to receive professional dental care close to home, helping to prevent pain, infection and longer-term oral health problems.

Students from Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences supported the initiative by offering dental health education and distributing dental care supplies. By teaching children about good oral hygiene and preventative care at an early age, the programme aimed to promote healthier habits that can last a lifetime.

As part of the programme, students and staff from SU’s Faculty of Engineering spent a full day at Robertson Hospital, rolling up their sleeves to assist with general maintenance and repairs. The team of 16 members of staff and students, representing the Gibela Engineering Research Chair (GERC), carried out a wide range of tasks to help strengthen the hospital’s infrastructure.

They repaired and replaced lighting, fixed small equipment, restored parts of the hospital’s CCTV network, and refreshed storage containers with a new coat of paint, among other hands-on contributions.

• Infection prevention and control and antimicrobial resistance awareness assessments were conducted at Robertson and Montagu Hospitals, raising awareness of these critical issues among more than 35 local healthcare workers.
• Healthcare workers from the region received training in the use of point-of-care ultrasound, clinician-as-trainer instruction, and in situ practical exercises aimed at enhancing healthcare delivery to local communities and supporting student training in these clinical environments.
• In alignment with the DOHW’s Start Well initiative, a longstanding InReach partner, STEPI (Squaring the Education Pyramid Institute), provided early childhood development training to 40 local educators, caregivers, and parents in the Nkqubela township in Robertson.