​Koketso Maraba 

The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) has stepped up efforts to tackle the delays in issuing spectacles across public health facilities, with a bold target to eliminate the current backlog by the end of October 2025.
At the heart of the delays is the absence of standardised procurement contracts for spectacles and lenses. This has resulted in uneven supply across different districts, leaving adult patients waiting anywhere from one month to a year for a pair of spectacles. However, this is about to change. The Department is finalising new procurement contracts, which are set to take effect from July 2025. 
Once in place, these contracts will improve supply consistency and help clear the backlog more efficiently. In addition, the month of October, which is recognised as Eye Health Month, will be used to intensify screening and spectacle distribution efforts across the province.
Encouragingly, children have been shielded from these delays. Through strong partnerships with donors and private providers, the Department continues to ensure that children receive spectacles within a month, and in many cases, within three weeks. From April 2024 to March 2025, over 7,400 children were examined by optometrists, with nearly 3,500 receiving spectacles. 
In terms of infrastructure, Gauteng is well-positioned. Currently, 20 hospitals, 28 Community Health Centres, and 62 clinics across the province are equipped to diagnose eye problems and issue spectacles. These facilities play a crucial role in expanding access and reducing pressure on the system.
However, one of the lesser-known challenges has been duplication, where patients receive multiple pairs of spectacles from different facilities. This issue arises from the lack of a centralised tracking system. To address this, the Department is working to introduce a province-wide solution that will improve efficiency and accountability.
The Department's intervention in addressing the shortage of eye care professionals is also a priority. In partnership with the University of Johannesburg, the GDoH is training optometry students through a supervised programme that boosts capacity and provides hands-on experience. 
In addition, 95 optometrists have been trained in primary eye care, where 12 are currently enrolled in an advanced diagnostics course, and 90 have received training in clinic register management. Furthermore, 50 health promoters and 50 school health nurses have been empowered to recognise and respond to common eye conditions.
Looking ahead, the Department remains focused on strengthening systems, securing reliable supply chains, and ensuring that every Gauteng resident has timely access to quality eye care.