By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri–
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum has ordered the extension of a free eye treatment and surgery program from 1,000 to 10,000 beneficiaries.
This decision was made after a massive crowd gathered at the Maiduguri Eye Hospital, seeking free eye care services.
The program was initially organized by Senator Ali Ndume in collaboration with the Borno State Government, Nigerians in Diaspora, and Saudi philanthropists, providing cataract surgery for 1,000 residents of Borno State.
Unveiling the programme at the Eye Hospital in Maiduguri on Monday, Zulum said, “the idea was hinted to him through Senator Ndume, who promised to sponsor 500 people, adding that, Borno State Government in its magnanimity then increased the number to 1,000.
“But due to the mass turn out of patients, I have directed that the number should be extended to 10,000, as each patients who received cataract surgery would be given N50,000, while all medical workers who conducted the exercise would be given N100,000 each.
“This gesture became necessary because, in the course of interacting with the patients, some of them said, they have been suffering from the ailment in the last two years, but cannot offered to pay for the medical bills, which prevented them to come to hospital for treatment. Therefore, Government of Borno State is determined to provide free treatment and cure for all people suffering from eye diseases.
” Very soon, we are going to commission our newly constructed Eye and Dental Hospitals in Biu and Monguno. The Biu Eye Hospital will carter for the treatment of 3,000 patients in Southern Borno, while that in Monguno will treat another 3,000 patients from Northern Borno senatorial district.
“In Borno Central, we are to allocate a slot to another 4000 patients, and just like I said, each patients who undergo cataract surgery will be given N50,000, with exception of cost of treatment”. Zulum stated.
He appreciated Senator Ndume and all the medical teams, including staff of the Ministry of Health and Human Services, who have contributed to the success of the programme.
In an interview with journalists shortly after the exercise, Senator Ndume said, “the gesture dated back to 2007, when I incidentally ran unto a Saudi Arabia Foundation managed by Kano and Katsina based philanthropists who usually gave him slots on annual basis.
“Unfortunately, due to the devastation caused by insurgents, we had no option than to halt the intervention since 2011. Now that we have peace, we have to resume, and this time around, the intervention is very unique, as the patients recovers fully and gain their sight within 24 hours after surgery without using eye glasses.
