Over 1,500 Benefit From Medical Outreach By Islamic Society Of Eggonland
Over 1,500 persons have benefitted from the medical outreach organized by the Islamic Society of Eggonland (ISE).
The medical outreach which specifically targeted at eye ailments, began on Monday January 24, 2022 and is set to be concluded on Saturday January 29, 2022, had patients attended to in four centres namely Akpata, Mada Station, Bakkyono and Nassarawa Eggon town.
Addressing the press during the outreach the General Secretary of the Islamic Society of Eggonland, Alhaji Umar Abdullahi Galle said the medical outreach was part of his organization’s quest to provide succour for the indigent in the society.
He said they decided to streamline the medical outreach to eye ailments because of the importance of sight to the everyday activities of man.
“We believe sight is critical to human life and if there is anything a human being needs, it is his sight. And the rate of poverty today, we also put it into consideration because a lot of people cannot access this kind of services. And we felt it is necessary for us to contribute in this regard, particularly to the vulnerable group.”
Umar Abdullahi Galle said despite the large number of persons that came to benefit from the medical services, there was no record of rowdiness at any of the four centres. He commended the people for their cooperation as well as the team of doctors and others whose work ensured the success of the outreach.
He also appreciated the Nasarawa State government who according to him, ensured all the necessary approvals and facilities were given to the ISE with little to no stress.
The ISE General Secretary concluded by stating that his organization is ready to go into partnership with individuals and bodies with similar vision because there is still a lot more that needs to be done to help the needy in the society.
In his remarks, the head of the medical team, Dr Murtala Mohammed Umar, an Ophthalmologist from the National Eye Centre Kaduna said over hundred cataract surgeries have already been done by his team with their target being 250 by the end of the outreach with about 400 patients receiving reading glasses.
He thanked the Islamic Society of Eggonland for organizing the outreach and the Nasarawa State government for providing the necessary support.
He also called on the general public to take good care of their eyes and make sure they test their eyes regularly so that they can seek medical care whenever there is any issue.
On his part, Director of Medical Services in the Nasarawa State Ministry of Health, Dr. Damina John Ali said the medical outreach by the ISE is in line with the policy of Governor Abdullahi Sule to see that quality health services are brought closer to the people at little or no cost.
He lamented that despite efforts by the government, ignorance and poverty has made it difficult for citizens to access healthcare, causing people to die of curable diseases.
He commended organizations such as the Islamic Society of Eggonland for embarking on medical outreaches to plug some of the holes left in the system.
“We have been on supervision and let me say that we are satisfied with all the processes that are being taken by the Islamic Society of Eggonland. I think they are a worthy partner and we will love to continue with them. And based on the results we are getting of having screened and treated over 1,500 eye cases, to us that is highly rewarding. It is a blessing for the State. The State is grateful, the Local Government is grateful, the Eggon nation is grateful. We will want to call on other philanthropist to imitate and take after the actions of the Islamic Society of Eggonland, come and join hands with the State Government.”
He however urged such spirited individuals or organizations to follow due process and obtained the required clearances from the government so as to ensure that standards are maintained.
One of the beneficiaries Ibrahim Adamu who spoke with Eggonnews appreciated the Islamic Society of Eggonland who organized the medical outreach.
He said: “I didn’t know that there was a problem developing in my eye till when I went to Bakkyono and I learnt of this activity. That was where I was screened and scheduled for surgery.
“I am suffering from cataract. I usually don’t see clearly. They just concluded my surgery and I did not pay even a kobo. No one asked me for money and I did not give any.”
The Islamic Society of Eggonland is an Islamic charity organization well known for activities that are targeted mainly at the less privileged in the society irrespective of their tribe or religion. Some of their activities include granting scholarships to students of tertiary institutions of learning and a seminar for Islamic clerics on insecurity amongst other very laudable activities.
