MADIBA DAY MILESTONE: Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital Opens First Dedicated Eye & Vision Centre. EyeCare4Kids Africa and Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital launched a permanent Centre to combat preventable childhood vision loss across South Africa.
On Madiba Day, Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital (NMCH), in partnership with EyeCare4Kids Africa, officially opened its first dedicated Eye & Vision Centre – a landmark investment in children’s eye health – that will expand access to specialised vision care for thousands of underprivileged children throughout South Africa.
The new service represents the culmination of more than two years of planning between NMCH and EyeCare4Kids Africa. During that time, EyeCare4Kids Africa has already provided more than 58,000 free vision screenings and comprehensive eye examinations to children in underprivileged communities, along with more than 5000 prescription eyeglasses for children who otherwise would have gone without care.
The permanent Eye & Vision Centre will now provide these children, and countless more, with ongoing access to world-class pediatric vision services at one of Africa’s premier children’s hospitals.
“This is about far more than opening an optometry centre; it’s about changing the trajectory of a child’s life,” said Joseph Carbone, Founder of EyeCare4Kids Global. “A child who cannot see clearly cannot fully learn, grow, or reach their potential. By removing the barrier of untreated vision problems, we are creating opportunities that will last a lifetime. Opening this centre on Nelson Mandela’s birthday is a fitting tribute to his belief that a society should be judged by how it cares for its children.”
“Nelson Mandela believed that a society is judged by how it cares for its children. The opening of this dedicated Eye & Vision Centre brings that vision to life by expanding access to eye care for children regardless of where they come from or their family’s circumstances. Through our partnership with EyeCare4Kids Africa, we are investing in healthier futures and ensuring that more children can learn, grow, and reach their full potential”, said Dr Nkuli Boikhutso, CEO of Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital.
The Madiba Day celebration brought together leading ophthalmologists, optometrists, healthcare professionals, academics, philanthropists, and supporters from South Africa, the United States, and Germany, along with community leaders and child health advocates.
About EyeCare4Kids Africa
EyeCare4Kids is an international nonprofit organisation dedicated to ensuring that every child has access to quality vision care regardless of financial circumstances. Since its founding in 2001, the organisation has provided vision screenings, comprehensive eye examinations, and prescription eyewear to underserved children through partnerships with schools, healthcare providers, governments, and community organisations.
About Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital
Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital is a world-class, specialised paediatric academic hospital established to fulfil Nelson Mandela’s vision of providing advanced healthcare for the children of South Africa and the African continent. The hospital delivers specialised medical services while adv
ancing paediatric education, research, and innovation.
