Article Submitted
As the Al-Imdad Foundation’s Vision-4-Life cataract surgery programme, for people throughout Northern KZN, continues at the Dundee hospital, the Department of Health recently orchestrated a Quality Awards ceremony to honour the Al-Imdad Foundation for its sterling contribution to the local health sector.
Also honoured with awards were Turkish ophthalmic surgeon, Dr Mehmet Aslan and his technical assistant, Sertaç Yildiz, from the Alliance of International Doctors. Both receiving certificates of appreciation and excellence for their contribution to alleviating problematic cataracts in patients; who couldn’t afford the surgery or don’t have a medical aid.
Al-Imdad’s project co-ordinator, Abed Karrim, confirms that hundreds of cataract surgeries have already been performed.
Among the local patients was Mr Seedat, who says this surgery is genuinely a gift from God. “Overall, I am so pleased with the manner in which the procedure was carried out,” says Mr Seedat.
“The doctor and his assistant were too good, and the nurses were brilliant! They were so helpful and friendly,” he continues.
Mrs Hargovan, who also had cataract surgery performed, praised the Al-Imdad Foundation, the Dundee hospital and the surgeon and his assistant, who have sacrificed so much to be here in a foreign country.
“May God bless all these people, who have made so many peoples’ lives much easier. The whole experience was so pleasant, and I am truly grateful,” she says.
Ahmed Karrim accepted the award on behalf of the Al-Imdad Foundation.
The Al-Imdad Foundation is a non-profit humanitarian aid relief organisation, registered and based in South Africa. It focuses on providing humanitarian services in crisis and non-crisis situations to orphans, widows and the destitute, irrespective of race, religion, culture, creed and geographical location.
Al-Imdad’s CEO, Yacoob Vahed, thanked the Dundee hospital, health officials, the Alliance of International Doctors and Dr Aslan and S Yildiz for making this opportunity possible. He said that they were pleased to have been able to assist with the current backlogs of patients awaiting surgeries at public facilities.
Well done to the Al-Imdad Foundation for ensuring health care is brought to the forefront.
