By Prisc B
Over 600 patients defied security challenge to access free surgical care offered by the Sani Bello Foundation in partnership with Graceland Healthcare at the Kontagora General Hospital
The free surgical care was part of activities to commemorate Col. Sani Bello’s (Rtd) birthday.
The patients came from various parts of the country, including Lagos, Akure, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, and local areas like Gwada and Minna, amid security challenge to benefit from the programme
The programme offered free surgical care for various ailments, including fibroids, appendicitis, hernias, goiters, lumps, and eye issues such as cataracts and pterygium just as dental services were also provided, and over 600 glasses were distributed.
The Vice Chairman of the Sani Bello Foundation, Usman Sani Bello, stated that the initiative aimed to help humanity, despite the security concerns in the area.
He stated, ” Over 3,000 patients were screened, and the foundation exceeded last year’s target of 550 surgeries, where various procedures such as thyroidectomies, myomectomies, hysterectomies, hernia repairs, and 100 cataract extractions each worth between N90,000 to -N100,000 were performed”.
Bello also revealed future plans for the foundation which include expanding scope through the Sani Bello University’s hospital for paid advanced tests, thereby reducing travel burdens for medical checks in Minna and Abuja.
” We are calling for shared responsibility to meet the nation’s medical needs. We can’t leave everything for the government, ” the vice chairman stated.
The Chief Surgeon, Dr. Tort Joseph, noted that major procedures were carried out, however, complex cases like neurofibroma were referred to Kaduna’s National Eye Center funded by the foundation.
The Director General of the Foundation, Dr Zakari Ikani disclosed that the selection process was open via ads and texts with no connections required.
According to him, ” Beyond surgeries, the foundation plans to offer year-round scholarships, vocational training, and a two-year-old malnutrition center to aid over 10 children this year amid economic hardships’
Breakdown of the treatment so far include 399 general surgeries, 117 eye operations, 199 dental procedures, 174 total toothpaste/toothbrush dispenser, 122 dental medications given, 91 tooth extractions, 59 tooth washing, 45 tooth replacement and a total of 4,680 drugs distributed.