Pulse.ng : Free surgeries: Patients want govt to emulate Katsina philanthropist

By Abbas Bamalli

Some patients at the General Hospital Katsina have lauded Mangal Foundation for sponsoring their hernia and hydrocele surgeries, calling on the state government to emulate the gesture.

The patients made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Katsina on Saturday, after they were brought out from the theater room.

According to a 64-year-old Malam Haruna Sani, for almost 15 years, he has been suffering from hernia problem, but he could not pay for the surgery.

He explained, “I heard about the free surgery through the news, i later visited the foundation’s office, and recently i was called for the surgery.

“When I came, I had to undergo series of medical check ups, before i was taken to the theater room for the surgery. Thanks be to Allah, I am now feeling better.

“I am appealing to the state government, other wealthy individuals, and corporate organisations to also embark on a similar exercise as part of their corporatr social responsibilities,” he appealed.

Malam Shuaibu Zaria, another patient with hydrocele problem, expressed appreciation to the foundation for sponsoring his surgery.

According to the 71-year-old man, he would never forget the gesture in his life, adding that he came for the surgery from Zaria in Kaduna State.

He said, “Before now, I have already given up my life, because with the current situation in the country, you will hardly find what to eat, not to even talk about going for surgery.

“For the period we spent here before the surgery, we were provided with food and drugs.”

Speaking with newsmen, Alhaji Nuhu Isa-Sullubawa, a Special Adviser to the foundation said the NGO was established seven years ago.

He said that the gesture was part of their responsibilities to the vulnerable people across the state, saying that people from the neighboring countries were also benefiting from it.

“The foundation is exclusively for empowerment, development, educational, charitable purposes and supporting the poor and vulnerable in the area of healthcare and economic skills,” Isa-Sullubawa said.

NAN