The Yobe Government has flagged off free eye consultations for 3,600 vulnerable beneficiaries, as well as another 600 surgeries for patients suffering from cataract disease across the 17 local government areas of the state.
The programme, flagged off by the Deputy Governor of the State on behalf of Governor Mai Mala Buni at the Specialist Hospital, Damaturu, is supported by the Qatar Charity Foundation.
In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Mohammed Lawan-Gana, described the event as another milestone in the unwavering commitment of Governor Mai Mala Buni’s drive toward providing universal healthcare coverage to the citizens of the state.
According to him, the Yobe State government had in the past undertaken eye surgeries for over 24,000 vulnerable residents, saying the gesture by the Qatar Charity Foundation would complement the government’s efforts.
The Country Director of the Qatar Charity Foundation, Assem Abu-Al-Shaer, in his remarks, sought the cooperation of the Yobe State government and the beneficiaries for a successful exercise.
“We are doing our best to meet the needs and the mandate of the people, and without your cooperation and facilitation, this programme would not see the light of day. We hope to keep the relationship and hope for more coordination between the Qatar Charity Foundation and the Government of Yobe State,” he said.
Shortly before the flag-off, Governor Mai Mala Buni, represented by his Deputy, Idi Barde Gubana, thanked the Qatar Charity Foundation, saying the free eye care consultations and surgeries would improve the quality of life of the people.
“The inability to see is not only a health challenge but is also a barrier to livelihood. The exercise is a beacon of hope to individuals, and the distribution of food items would greatly help them,” he said.
The event also witnessed the distribution of cooking oil and pasta, among other food items, to all the beneficiaries.
Services rendered include free eye consultations for 3,600 beneficiaries, free cataract surgeries for 600 individuals, free medications, and the distribution of free reading glasses and other drugs.
