By Awayi Kuje
The Islamic Society of Eggonland (ISE), a Non-profit organisation, has provided free eye services to 1,000 people of Nasarawa North Senatorial District of the state.
Mr Umar Galle, the Secretary General of the organisation, made this known on Sunday while addressing newsmen at the end of three days free medical outreach.
Galle said that the exercise aimed at improving on the eye status of the people of the state, considering the importance of eyes to human development.
The secretary general revealed that more than 400 people were provided with reading glasses during the exercise.
“The free medical outreach on eye care service and cataract surgery is part of the Islamic Society of Eggonland’s commitment to improve the health of the people.
“It is also to assist them, considering the present economic situation in the country,” he stressed.
He highlighted that 55 patients benefitted from cataract surgeries during the free medical outreach.
“A number of patients were given drugs for various eye ailments and referrals were made to Specialist Hospital, Lafia National Eye Center and other places in Lafia,” he said.
Galle commended the donors, media and other people for supporting its activities at all times.
He also applauded the Nasarawa State Government for acknowledging and providing the organisation with its facilities for the exercise.
“I want to appreciate the Ministry of Heath and Hospital Management Board for giving us their facilities to carry out this exercise,” he said.
The ISE secretary general restated the organization continued commitment to initiate good policies and programmes that would have direct bearing on the lives of Nigerians.
Also speaking, Dr Murtala Umar, Consultant Ophthalmologist with National Eye Centre, Kaduna, has urged Nigerians to always go for their eyes checking considering the importance of eye to human and societal development.
Umar, who is the lead surgeon said that the medical outreach included screening, distribution of reading glasses, giving of drugs and cataract surgery.
” We have screened patients for various eye ailments, we conducted cataract surgeries as well as we made referrals where necessary,” he said.
Umar appreciated community leaders, media and the patients for giving them their maximum support to succeed.
The lead surgeon also commended ISE for organising and coming to the aid of the people through the free medical outreach.
Responding, Mr Abimiku Samuel, a beneficiary thanked the organization for conducting the free eye service and prayed God to bless them abundantly.
He also called on other organizations and well meaning Nigerians to emulate ISE in order to improve on the health and general well of the people.( NAN)