400 Kano patients get free eye surgery from King Salman Centre, Albasar Foundation

The King Salman Humanitarian Relief and Aid Center, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with Albasar International Foundation (Makkah Specialist Eye Hospital) has offered free cataract eye surgery to 400 patients in Kano.

The humanitarian intervention was part of an expression of the feelings of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the noble direction of the Custodian of the Two Holy mosques, King Salman Bin Abdel Azeez and his Highness the Crown Prince, Mohammad Bin Salman towards its pioneer role of supporting communities across the world. 

The free eye surgeries, which took place at the Makkah Specialist Eye Clinic in Kano, attracted world class specialists devoted to control one of the major causes of blindness in Nigeria.

Addressing journalists at the end of the one-week medical exercise, Administrative Officer of the Makkah Eye Clinic, Malam Yusuf Ahmad said beneficiaries including men and women, were drawn from various local councils within the city and rural areas of the state. 

Mal. Yusuf explained that the beneficiaries predominantly indigents were earlier diagnosed and screened by agents of the hospital at their communities before invited for the surgery at Makka hospital at no cost.

“The gesture is part of commitment of the two centers to offer humanitarian assistance and ensure that people in the immediate society continue benefitting the tremendous contributions we are offering. This surgery is free and as we always say, it is open to everybody especially the poor. We also give them medicine free of charge, for those that need glasses we also give them,” he said.

He appreciated the two centers for their contributions in saving peoples’ sight and thanked the King Salma of Saudi Arabia for his immense support to humanity. He also urged the patients and residents to continue praying for them to prosper.

Albasar International Foundation is a non-governmental charitable organization working for the prevention of blindness with particular emphasis on Africa and Asia. Established in 1990, Albasar International Foundation operates in three ways; free mobile eye camps, the establishment of specialized eye hospitals, and training institutes.

Through the eye camps, which are usually co-sponsored by a donor/sponsor and the foundation, medical eye services are taken to the doorsteps of the patients who may not be able to afford to come to specialized eye hospitals.

Executive Secretary, Kano State Primary Healthcare, Dr Tijjani Hussain said the state government is partnering with Makkah Eye Clinic towards eliminating blindness and supporting people with eye services.

One of the beneficiaries, Alhaji Gambo Lawan Roni, 65, who undergo the successful surgery said he has been battling with eye problems for over 15 years. He expressed gratitude to the centre for restoring his vision.

“I give glory to the Almighty and the centre for the surgery. Thank God the problem is over. I can see clearly now, something that I missed and given up on in the last 15 years ago,” Gambo said.

Hajiya Halima Hamza Brigade, 60, who also underwent the free eye surgery applauded the support of the Saudi Kingdom intervention.

“I can’t thank these people enough as they have saved my life. This is the second time they are doing this to me. Last year, it’s my left eye and now my right and all free of charge. I really appreciate them for this gesture. Now I can see even better that before,” she said.