About 1,000 Persons Benefit From ISE Free Eye Medical Outreach
About 1,000 persons from Nasarawa State have benefitted from a free eye medical outreach organized by the Islamic Society of Eggonland (ISE).
The outreach which was flagged off on Friday August 25 2023 and was wrapped up on Saturday August 26 2023, had specialists from the National Eye Centre Kaduna and the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital Lafia attend to patients. The specialists were led by Dr. Murtala Mohammed Umar, a consultant ophthalmologist from the National Eye Centre Kaduna.
Speaking to the press on the sidelines of the event which held at the General Hospital in Nassarawa Eggon LGA, the General Secretary of the Islamic Society of Eggonland, Alhaji Umar Abdullahi Galle said the medical outreach was in response to the numerous calls on his organization after the huge successes recorded during the last outreach over a year ago.
Giving specifics about the outreach, Alhaji Umar Abdullahi Galle said: “The exercise was planned in three stages; screening, surgery and mop-up. The major activity that took place during the screening was distribution of glasses, administering of drugs to patients that are in need and also referral where necessary. 403 patients were given reading glasses. We assembled 500 reading glasses actually. As for drugs, a number of patients were given drugs of various kinds. We know some referrals were made to the Specialist Hospital Lafia and even to the Eye Centre (Kaduna) and other places. So it was an opportunity that did not only address the immediate objective but went beyond because a lot of people got to know the status of their eyes and where it required advanced treatment, the patients were fully informed.”
The ISE General Secretary also disclosed that over 50 persons would have undergone surgery by the end of the outreach and thanked the donors, the medical team and the volunteers for making the outreach possible.
He called on people to always look out for the needy around them and offer help in any way possible especially with the current economic realities in the country.
On his part, the leader of the team of surgeons, Dr. Murtala Mohammed Umar appealed to the beneficiaries to adhere to the instructions given by the medical professionals especially as it concerns the use of medications and also lifestyle adjustments.
He said: “Some of them came here and they didn’t know that they had ailments that can cause irreversible blindness like glaucoma. We detected and we advised them properly to go to the right place for continuous management. I think they should adhere to that, especially those who have family history of eye ailments that can lead to blindness. It is important for them to have at least, an annual eye check.
“Those of them whom we gave glasses, I hope they will use them because the idea is to help them correct.
“Those who had cataract surgery, we told them there are rules and regulations. No matter how good the surgery is, if you don’t observe those rules, it is a problem.”
He said some members of their team will be coming around to follow up on the patients and ensure there are no complications.
One of the beneficiaries, Abimiku Samuel, was full of gratitude to the Islamic Society of Eggonland and the team of medical professionals for coming to his aid.
He said: “My eye has been disturbing me. I could not see for long. But I came here and the doctors have treated me. I am very grateful. May God bless them. As I am going home now, I pray that my eyes will open and I will see very well.”
Recall that last year – precisely in January – over 1,500 persons benefitted from the ISE medical outreach and the organization has promised to continue working towards bringing succor to the less privileged in the society.
