MESSAGE FROM THE CAMPAIGN CHAIRMAN

There are 160 000 people South Africa suffering from preventable blindness caused by cataract. They could see again; they have a right to sight. It is totally unacceptable that so many people should be robbed of their sight when their form of blindness is curable through extremely cost effective cataract surgery.

The RIGHT TO SIGHT EYECARE CAMPAIGN aims at eradicating this unnecessary form of blindness in South Africa.

The benefits of the Campaign will be significant for both individual and South African society as a whole. Blindness is a huge social and economic burden. Either we act now on the pool of blindness, or future generations will have to bear this burden.

A comprehensive implementation plan is in place, developed jointly by the Bureau for the Prevention of Blindness and an impressive range of local and overseas partners, sponsors and stakeholders. The first operations under the auspices of the Campaign have already taken place. What is now needed is funding to sustain the Campaign over the next five years.

On behalf of the large number of South Africans who are needlessly blind, I appeal to all caring individuals, companies and organizations, both in South Africa and internationally, to support our project. The success of the Campaign hinges on your generosity.

Please take a minute or two to read this brochure – it concerns the precious gift of sight.