The Jigawa State Government, in collaboration with local and international partners, has launched a free cataract surgery program aimed at alleviating vision impairment among rural residents who cannot afford medical treatment. The initiative, in partnership with the Darrul Imara Charity Foundation and Turkey’s Hilal Foundation, is set to benefit 1,000 residents across the state, offering them essential eye care at no cost.
According to Mr. AU Abdurrahman, the Eye Coordinator at the Jigawa State Ministry of Health, a team of medical specialists from Turkey is scheduled to arrive in Dutse, the state capital, on November 5, 2024, to begin the surgeries. The surgeries will be conducted at Sambo Hospital and Huda Eye Clinic in Dutse, with the program running from November 6 to November 11, 2024.
To ensure accessibility for those in need, the Ministry has conducted a state-wide screening exercise, selecting 40 cataract patients from each of the 27 local government areas. “This humanitarian endeavour demonstrates the state’s commitment to accessible healthcare, particularly in rural areas where medical services are often scarce,” Abdurrahman stated. The initiative has been met with widespread approval, seen as a timely response to the escalating vision impairment issues among Jigawa’s rural population.
The timing of the surgeries has been hailed as particularly beneficial, as many families across the state express excitement over the opportunity for their loved ones to regain their vision. Crowds have been observed gathering at screening centers in anticipation, eager to undergo the necessary assessments to qualify for this transformative program.
The program exemplifies Jigawa State’s commitment to the health and well-being of its rural residents, with plans to continue addressing healthcare access challenges in these communities.
