Africa needs to invest in specialised healthcare to control blindness: Motlanthe
Former President Kgalema Motlanthe says up to 80% of all blindness and visual impairment are preventable but require the right skills.
He has been speaking at the launch of the Human Resources for Eye Health Initiative in Durban led by international NPO, Orbis.
The event is aimed at promoting eye health in sub-Saharan Africa.
Motlanthe is a Vision 2020 ambassador for the International Council of Ophthalmology.
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He says with nearly 20 million people in Africa being visually-impaired, there's a greater need for Health Departments to develop preventative programmes.
"Avoidable blindness is a key health issue. That is why Africa needs trained sub-specialists to plough services back into their countries through sponsorship and financial support - Africa can learn and gain many skills by hosting a sub-Saharan Africa Congress," he said.
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi on the importance of investing in eye health care #Orbis pic.twitter.com/r8ooayHeVz
— Khatija Nxedlana (@its_KhaTija) October 27, 2016
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