The Jigawa State Government, Northwest Nigeria, in partnership with international and local collaborations is poised to address the menace of vision impairment among rural people who can’t afford the medical bill.
The initiative has been widely hailed as a significant step towards improving the quality of life for thousands of individuals struggling with vision impairment.
According to the Jigawa State Ministry of Health in a statement made available on Monday to newsmen in Dutse, the state capital by the Eye Coordinator of the Ministry Mr. AU Abdurrahman, it noted that “the humanitarian endeavour demonstrates the state’s commitment to providing accessible healthcare, particularly in rural areas where medical services are often scarce.”
The statement further noted that, “A team of medical experts from Turkey will arrive in Dutse on November 5, 2024, for the commencement of the surgery.”
The Ministry’s Eye Coordinator AU Abdulrahman’s statement further read in parts, “To ensure equal opportunities for those in need, the ministry has directed a statewide screening exercise, identifying 40 cataract patients from each of the 27 local government areas in the state.
It added that “the Jigawa State Government has approved massive free cataract surgery initiative for 1,000 beneficiaries, in collaboration with Darrul Imara Charity Foundation and Hilal Foundation Turkey.”
The coordinator stressed, “The free cataract surgery program is scheduled to take place from November 6 to 11, 2024, at Sambo Hospital and Huda Eye Clinic in Dutse.”
He explained that “the proactive approach to addressing vision impairment is a testament to Jigawa State’s dedication to the well-being of its residents, particularly those in the rural communities where access to healthcare is often limited.”
Our correspondent reports that as news of the free eye surgery initiative spread across the communities, several affected individuals and their families couldn’t contain their excitement.
As a result, many rushed to the designated screening centers in their respective local government areas, eager to undergo the required tests and potentially benefit from the life-changing opportunity.
SOURCE PUNCH NEWS
