Al-Qalam 
By Azra Hoosen
As the world marks World Sight Month, a new R2.1 million Mobile Eye Clinic is setting out to change lives across KwaZulu-Natal.
The fully equipped vehicle, donated by the South African Muslim Charitable Trust (SAMCT) to the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Foundation, will bring essential eye care to rural and underserved communities – while also training the next generation of optometrists.
The project marries healthcare and education, providing both a practical learning platform for students and a lifeline for residents who have never had access to basic eye testing.
SAMCT trustee Gaff Osman told Al-Qalam that the initiative was inspired by a very real and urgent need – the lack of accessible eye care in rural KwaZulu-Natal.
“Many people in remote areas live with undiagnosed or untreated vision problems simply because they have no access to clinics or optometrists. When UKZN’s Optometry Department approached us with a proposal that addressed this gap while also giving students practical training in rural communities, it immediately resonated with us,” he said.
The mobile clinic will travel to schools and rural communities to conduct eye screenings, full examinations and provide corrective eyewear. It is equipped with advanced diagnostic tools, including an autorefractor, a handheld slit lamp and a portable ocular fundus camera for early detection of eye conditions.
According to Osman, the impact of the mobile clinic would be both immediate and long-lasting. “For many, this will be their first-ever eye examination. We believe it will prevent countless cases of avoidable vision loss and improve people’s ability to study, work and live productive lives. In a broader sense, it will also build awareness about the importance of eye health and preventive care,” he said.
Osman believes this is a project that beautifully connects faith with action. It is not just about providing medical relief. It is also about empowerment and education. “We don’t just fund projects – we invest in people.”
UKZN’s optometry students will use the mobile clinic as part of their community training, giving them hands-on experience while serving people who would otherwise go untreated. “By supporting the Mobile Eye Clinic, we’re ensuring that future optometrists gain invaluable experience while learning to serve with compassion and social responsibility,” he said.
Head of the Discipline of Optometry at UKZN, Dr Naimah Ebrahim Khan, told Al-Qalam that the donation came at a crucial time and expressed gratitude to the Trust. “Healthy vision is central to quality of life, education and employment, yet for many in rural areas, access to eye care remains out of reach. This Mobile Eye Clinic will help us close that gap while also ensuring that our students graduate as competent, compassionate practitioners ready to serve society,” she said.
UKZN’s optometry students will use the mobile clinic as part of their community training, giving them hands-on experience while serving people who would otherwise go untreated. “By supporting the Mobile Eye Clinic, we’re ensuring that future optometrists gain invaluable experience while learning to serve with compassion and social responsibility,” he said.
Khan said that the donation during World Sight Month highlights the need for equitable access to eye care. “Through this initiative, UKZN Optometry reaffirms its commitment to improving public health, advancing clinical education and empowering communities with the gift of sight,” she added.
Dean of the School of Health Sciences, Professor Khathutshelo Percy Mashige, believesthis is the beginning of a long-lasting friendship based on mutual objectives between UKZN and the SAMCT.
While the current focus is on KwaZulu-Natal, the trust hopes to expand similar models across the country. This project is simply a start. “We are already exploring ways to extend similar initiatives into other provinces and areas of healthcare. Our message to other trusts and businesses is simple – give with vision and purpose,” he said.
