On the 19th March 2020, the president of South Africa, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, announced COVID-19 a national state of disaster which set in motion a series of restrictions to our society as a whole in order to limit the spread of the outbreak of COVID-19 and prevent our health service from being overwhelmed. This has caused significant disruption to our daily lives and had a material impact on the South African economy, but exceptional circumstances call for exceptional measures. Decisive action is essential to protect human health and life, and socio-economic sustainability. Sandhurst Eye Centre directors therefore support the measures announced by President Ramaphosa.
As an essential service, the Sandhurst Eye Centre realises that we have a vital role to play in the health infrastructure and ongoing eye health of our patients. It places a responsibility on us as a team at the Sandhurst Eye Centre to continue to provide the best support that we can to the community that we serve and we will continue to do this with a high level of commitment and to the best of our abilities.
The continued health and safety of our patients and staff of the Sandhurst Eye Centre is therefore critical, and in consultation with a number of health authorities, we have initiated strict protocols at the centre in order to ensure this. Sandhurst Eye Centre is continuing to provide a service to our patients both as outpatients and for surgery, within these protocols to ensure that we deliver a service at the highest and safest level. We will endeavour to continue to provide this level of care in the ongoing changes and uncertainty of our countries policies.
Unfortunately, times like this are also prone to disinformation with so much access to digital channels. Should you have any concerns as to the safety and risks associated with consultations and surgery, or with eye conditions, we ask that you call the Sandhurst Eye Centre, or your ophthalmologist to discuss this further. We urge you to not neglect your eye health principally with regards to chronic conditions such as Glaucoma and Macular Degeneration, progressive conditions such cataract development and acute conditions that cause a sudden loss of vision. Worsening of these conditions may lead to permanent damage which should be avoided.
We trust that you remain healthy and well in these unusual times.