ASHENEWS reports that the Sani Bello Foundation in collaboration with a non-governmental organization, Graceland Healthcare Development Foundation Kaduna has offered free surgeries to poor Nigerians.
Every year, the foundations organize a “free surgical festival”, an event during which underserved people from various communities in Niger State and even beyond the state get free surgeries at the Kontagora General Hospital in Niger State.
During the five-day event, beneficiaries are treated for free for ailments ranging from hernia, appendicitis, goiter, lumps, fibroid appendicitis, cesarean sections, and eye surgeries.
The Vice Chairman of the Sani Bello Foundation, Usman Sani Bello said that the intervention was aimed at supporting the poor and providing a model for other non-governmental organizations to emulate.
“We want to give people hope and also motivate other foundations and provide a system whereby the younger generation can see how easy it is to share,” he said.
Bello adds that the outreach is open to every Nigerian irrespective of tribe or ethnicity.
“As long as you can find your way here, we will treat you. Humans are humans. States only have invisible borders and we are here to help people.”
Usman added that the cost of healthcare delivery was too expensive for only the government to finance.
“We can’t say every single thing has to come from the state. Individuals can come in and do something. If you donate a metal bucket to a hospital, that bucket will definitely be used somewhere.”
Dr Thot Joseph Dogo, the Chairman of Graceland Healthcare Development Foundation, Kaduna said that the foundation has conducted 205 general surgeries and 50 eye surgeries since the commencement of the outreach on Thursday.
He said that this year’s festival targets 500 beneficiaries for general and gynecological surgeries, eye surgeries, treatment for minor eye conditions, and also free distribution of eyeglasses.
The Director General of the Sani Bello Foundation, Dr Zakari Ikani told journalists that the foundation ensures it puts the hospital in order before the outreach begins.
“This year, before we started the outreach, we made sure the air conditioners were put in perfect condition. The lighting was also upgraded. We also ensure that the whole ward is in order before we start.
“We had to also renovate the stretchers to ease the movement of patients.”
The outreach, which began on Thursday will end on Monday.
