By Julia Moyo
The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) has intensified efforts to protect and promote children’s health and wellbeing as South Africa marks Child Protection Week.
The department is strengthening a range of healthcare interventions aimed at safeguarding children from abuse, neglect, preventable injuries and health conditions that could affect their development and education. One of the key focus areas is child eye healthcare. During the 2025/26 financial year, the department provided approximately 4,546 pairs of spectacles to children across Gauteng.
According to the department, the spectacles were provided “to improve vision, support learning and prevent avoidable visual impairment.” Poor eyesight can have a significant impact on a child’s ability to read, participate in classroom activities and perform academically. Through healthcare facilities offering eye health services, optometrists conduct screenings, diagnoses and treatment for children with visual impairments and other eye conditions.
Gauteng Department of Health spokesperson Steve Mabona said, “Uncorrected vision problems can affect a child’s ability to read, participate in class and perform academically.” Children requiring specialised treatment are referred to dedicated eye clinics at regional, tertiary and academic hospitals for further assessment and care.
Mabona also said “particular attention is given to children with albinism, who are at increased risk of visual impairment due to reduced melanin levels affecting eye development and vision, as well as premature babies at risk of developing Retinopathy of Prematurity, a potentially blinding eye condition.”
As part of Child Protection Week activities, healthcare social workers, therapists and multidisciplinary teams will conduct awareness campaigns and community outreach programmes throughout the province. These initiatives will focus on child protection, the prevention of child abuse, children’s rights, burn prevention, communication and hearing disorders, and improving access to healthcare support services.
At Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, social workers have already held awareness sessions for parents and caregivers on recognising signs of child abuse and understanding reporting procedures. Physiotherapists and occupational therapists have also been engaging with crèches and healthcare facilities in Soweto, educating caregivers on burn prevention, first aid measures and the proper management of burn injuries.
In the Johannesburg Health District, additional Child Protection Week activities are planned at Lenasia South Civic Centre, Waverley Hall and Mofolo Community Centre. Outreach programmes will also be conducted at old age homes and an orphanage to promote child wellbeing and strengthen community awareness around child protection.
Meanwhile, Tshwane Rehabilitation Hospital will host educational and interactive sessions under the theme, “Communication and Hearing for All: Access, Equity and Impact”. The sessions aim to raise awareness about communication and hearing challenges while promoting equitable access to rehabilitation services.
Mabona encouraged members of the public to play an active role in protecting children, saying, “Parents, caregivers, educators and community members are encouraged to seek assistance from healthcare facilities and relevant authorities whenever concerns arise regarding a child’s health, safety or wellbeing.”
Parents are also urged to seek medical attention if children show signs of vision difficulties, including squinting, blurred vision, frequent headaches or difficulty reading. Child Protection Week is observed annually across South Africa to raise awareness about children’s rights and the responsibility of communities, families and institutions to ensure children grow up in safe and supportive environments.
The Gauteng Department of Health said it remains committed to strengthening child health services and working with communities and stakeholders to ensure that every child is protected, supported and given the opportunity to reach their full potential.
