School learners receive eye examination ahead of final exams
School learners from KwaNala and KwaGuqa primary school received eye testing as part of the Eye Care initiative driven by Thebemed Medical Scheme and partners. The initiative could not have come at a better time as learners prepare for their final examinations and without a doubt, eyesight is a critical ability for them.
The schools, which are situated in Witbank, Mpumalanga, are part of Thebemed Medical Scheme’s Eye Care drive with the aim of furthering academic excellence through the eyesight examination programme.
“We are committed to uplifting local communities through investment in meaningful development projects, with eye care identified as a key focus area that will enable learners to unleash their full potential,” says Dr Mangaliso Mahlaba, Chief Operating Officer of Thebe Ya Bophelo Healthcare Administrators who Administer Thebemed. “We passionately believe that tackling visual deficiency issues in schools will help to ensure that young people have the best possible opportunities to excel academically.”
Undetected poor eyesight is a major contributor to learners’ performance at school. Through this initiative, Thebemed seeks to provide a solution where the extent of the problem can be detected early to avoid having their eyesight badly affected as they grow older and in severe cases, lose their eyesight at a later stage in life. The initiative provides spectacles to learners who require them, as detected through the eye test programme conducted through the initiative.
To help drive this initiative, Thebe Ya Bophelo Healthcare Administrators has partnered with PPN (Preferred Provider Network) through their Masibonisane campaign. They select providers on Thebemed’s network who are local optometrists to assist communities to screen the learners. To date, Thebemed has visited 11 schools to raise awareness about the importance of optical health, specifically around the prevention and treatment of avoidable blindness.
The need for optical assistance is keenly evident in children of school-going age. No child should be disadvantaged and hindered in their academic progression due to undiagnosed and/or untreated eye problems. Thebemed and PPN would like to invest in our future by focussing on the most important asset of South Africa, our children.
“Through the Masibonisane campaign, PPN provide optical services to ensure that disadvantaged children in disadvantaged areas obtain spectacles every second year and further optical assistance, not only to improve their vision, but the quality of life and their future,” says PPN Manager, Thulani Booysen.
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About Thebe Ya Bophelo Healthcare
Thebe Ya Bophelo Healthcare Administrators (Pty) Ltd (TYB), is a subsidiary of Thebe Investment Corporation responsible for medical aid administration. TYB is a wholly-owned BEE Level 1 contributor, registered under the laws of South Africa. Thebe’s mission is to play a leading role in the provision of services to meet the aspirations of the community within which it operates. It seeks to achieve this by developing successful companies that advance the interests of the community, while providing acceptable returns for the shareholders. For further information please visit www.tybhealth.co.za