1,509 Benefit From ISE Free Eye Surgery In Nasarawa

El Yakuq Ibraheem

A total of 1,509 people with sight-related ailments benefited from the ongoing free eye treatment, the Secretary-General of Islamic Society of Eggon land (ISE) Umar Abdullahi Gale gave the hint during a press briefing at the general hospital Nasarawa Eggon, the headquarter of Nasarawa Eggon, penultimate week.

He disclosed that the increasing cases of sight defeat ranging from cataracts, glaucoma foist the movement to expedite action to save the people from losing their sight which he said may result to permanent blindness.

He expressed delight over the mass turn out of people in the existing four centers of general hospital Nasarawa Eggon with a total of over 600 patients, Mada station with a total of 290, Primary Health Care (PHC) Akpata with 330 persons screened and PHC Bakyano with 333.

Gale expressed satisfaction with facilities available at all the four centers, saying ISE will extend her olive branches to another part of the state for the sake of humanity.

He, however, commended the medical team for working as a house during the exercise, he also appreciated the press for giving the movement adequate coverage.

While shedding more light on the activities of ISE, the Head of the medical team, Dr. Murtala Mohammed Umar, an ophthalmologist from the national eye center, Kaduna asserted that the activities begin with an awareness campaign, disbursement of eyeglasses.

He, however, added that over 1000 people with sight-related ailments were screened by the Islamic Society of Nigeria (ISE), of which 400 were given reading glasses.

“The whitish part of the eye did not allow light to pass through, causing havoc to the retina”.

He explained that majority of people with sight problems emanated from cataracts, stating that the World Bank is working assiduously with other related organisations to kick eye-related ailments out.

The permanent secretary, ministry of health, Dr. Phoebe Angbazo appreciated the organisers of the free eye surgery, calling on other charity organization and spirited individuals to imitate the Islamic Society of Eggon land for conducting free eye surgery.

The permanent secretary explained that the state Governor has done a lot in the area of free Medicare in the last two and half year, in addition, said the state government gesture was the establishment of the Nasarawa State Health Insurance Scheme (NASHIA) which she buttressed was a scheme meant to make health care more affordable and accessible to all.

They called on the affluent in the society to support those in need of health assistance, saying especially at this critical time of need.

Also, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the State Hospital Management Board (NSHMB) lauded ISE for the choice of their facilities, adding that the board was going round to monitor the utilization of their facilities.

Dr. Edegba Edego , the CMD expressed satisfaction with the successful conduct of surgeries which he said was devoid of casualties, he explained that the retina will lose it sensitivity if cataracts cases are not treated on time.

Ibrahim Adamu lauded the organisers of the free eye surgery, stating that the treatment was coming at a time that people are leaving from hand to mouth.

Also speaking, Felicia Namo thanked the Islamic Society of Eggon land for the show of humanity, adding that both Muslims and Christians benefited from the gesture.