​Rofhiwa Marubini
As part of the Marathon Cataract Surgeries Programme, the Gauteng Department of Health has performed over 700 surgeries in October alone.
The programme was introduced to reduce waiting times for cataract surgeries in various hospitals in the province. 
When a cataract has developed, it causes the eye lens to become cloudy, especially in the elderly, which eventually affects the vision.
A procedure is done to remove the cloudy lens and, in most cases, replace it with a clear artificial lens. 
Before the introduction of the marathon, over 15 900 patients were waiting for cataract surgery and 8 527 surgeries were cancelled since the start of the lockdown on 26 March 2020.
Amongst the high performing hospitals were the Kalafong Tertiary Hospital in Pretoria West, which undertook 205 cataract surgeries in two weeks. 
The Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital (DGMAH), and St. Johns Eye Hospital performed 132, and 124 operations respectively. 
In the West Rand, Leratong Hospital performed 105 operations, whereas in the Joburg Health District the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH) undertook 94, and Helen Joseph Hospital (HJH) performed 64 operations for October.
The COVID-19 pandemic has considerably affected public hospitals' ability to perform elective (planned) surgeries due to resources being repurposed to fight the pandemic. 
With the drop in the rate of new COVID-19 infection cases and hospital admissions, public hospitals can dedicate resources to other healthcare services. 
The Cataract Marathon Programme will be accelerated in November.