The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin has targeted 5,000 patients as beneficiaries of free eye care treatment, including the provision of eyeglasses, in his Kano North Senatorial Zone.
In a three-day exercise starting from Friday, to take place in Kabo, Dambatta, and Bichi local government areas, patients with glaucoma, cataracts, poor vision, and other sight impairments are going to receive free treatment.
Speaking on behalf of the Deputy Senate President, his Personal Assistant in the Constituency, Hashimu Abdulkadir called on all the beneficiaries to ensure they observe instructions given to them by the medical personnel on the ground to facilitate treatment.
“We start by thanking God Almighty for this intervention in which Kabo Local Government Area will serve as the center where beneficiaries from five other neighboring local government areas of Rimingado, Tofa, Gwarzo, Shanono, and Kabo will be attended to.
“Whosoever comes with any problem affecting his eyes will be treated free including those who will be given eyeglasses.
“The free treatment of patients will take place for the next three days in three of the identified centers that include here in Kabo, Dambatta, and Bichi local government areas where beneficiaries from neighboring local governments will go to the centers close to them.
“We want to use this opportunity to thank all the medical personnel present for their dedication, it is indeed not an easy task as we target 5000 patients in the three centers.
“The message of His Excellency the Deputy Senate President is to the beneficiaries to ensure that they cooperate with the personnel, observe all instructions given, and use all medications prescribed,” PA to the Deputy Senate President stated.
The head of the medical experts Dr. Kamal Umar, CEO of Vision Savers, while addressing hundreds of beneficiaries gathered at Kabo General Hospital on Friday, classifies the types of cases they will be treated during the exercise.
“There are three types of treatments to be given including surgery, medication, or eyeglasses.
“Those with cataracts and pterygium will undergo surgery, those with allergy, glaucoma, and the likes will be given medication while those with refractive error will be given eyeglasses.
“We will work to ensure we meet our target for as long as the patients turn for treatment within the stated period,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Nuhu Gulu who spoke to Vanguard newspaper after receiving treatment expressed delight that he now has the opportunity to be treated for cataract for free and that he could not have been able to afford it on his own due to exorbitant charges.
“I am a beneficiary of the free eye treatment. I have been suffering from sight impairment but have not been able to go to the hospital due to exorbitant rates.
“Today I have been diagnosed with cataract and will undergo surgery for free with the help of His Excellency the Deputy Senate President,” he said.
An elderly woman, Rahmatu Yusuf also to undergo free eye surgery expressed delight and prayed for the Deputy Senate President.
“It is confirmed that I have cataracts and will undergo surgery. I don’t have much to say but to pray for our Senator for his concern,” she stated.
Earlier the Chairman of Kabo Local Government Area, Salisu Kabir Kabo had advised the beneficiaries to be orderly to have a good exercise at the end while thanking the Deputy Senate President for providing such opportunity to the people of his Constituency.
By Abdulmumin Murtala, Kano
