In collaboration with Qatar Charity Group, the Kaduna government has commenced a free medical outreach across the 23 LGA.

Bello-Jamo Yusuf, the executive secretary of the Kaduna State Primary Healthcare Board, disclosed this during the inauguration of the exercise in Zaria on Tuesday.

He said over 3,600 patients suffering from cataracts and other eye-related defects would undergo surgery. Others would be provided with drugs.

Mr Yusuf said the exercise was zoned according to the existing senatorial districts.

“The exercise will be conducted free of charge, and I call on all those suffering from eye defects to avail themselves of the treatment. The exercise is targeting 3600 beneficiaries, of which 600 will be cataract and other minor eye surgeries while 3000 will be other outpatient consultations.

“This is harmattan season and there are a lot of eye conditions from conjunctivitis to other types of allergic eye conditions attributable to fumes and dust,’’ he said.

Mr Yusuf explained that the state government had attached much importance to health issues as all body organs were crucial to human survival, but eyes were exceptional, hence the exercise.

He added that the state government would conduct more such exercises to address other health challenges and ensure that healthcare services were brought to the people’s doorsteps.

Mr Yusuf said the state was not unaware of the challenges associated with the high cost of transportation and it would do something about it.

Simon Chuduso, project officer of the Qatar charity, said the organisation would be in Gambo Sawaba Memorial General Hospital Zaria for the next four to five days for the exercise.

Mr Chudoso said besides the medical outreach programme, the group was working with the state government on housing and the construction of boreholes, among other things.

A beneficiary, Halima Yakubu, a resident of Ban-Zazzau Area, Zaria, lauded the programme’s sponsors, saying she received glasses that significantly improved her sight.

Another beneficiary, Musa Muhammed, who came from Kaduna to Zaria, also commended the gesture, stating that he was issued reflective glasses to improve his sight.

 (NAN)