By Abbas Bamalli
The Mangal Foundation has commenced free cataract surgeries for more than 600 vulnerable patients in Katsina State, offering renewed hope to those at risk of losing their sight.
A member of the foundation’s Board of Trustees, Mr Hussaini Kabir, disclosed this on Wednesday during the exercise at the Katsina Eye Centre.
Kabir said more than 2,000 people with various eye conditions were screened ahead of the exercise.
He explained that while some patients received free medication and prescription glasses, those diagnosed with cataracts were selected for surgery at no cost.
According to him, the intervention, which began about eight years ago, has restored the sight of many vulnerable persons in Katsina and neighbouring communities.
Kabir said no fewer than 7,000 people from Katsina, neighbouring states and parts of the Niger Republic benefited from the foundation’s eye care intervention in 2025 alone.
He reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to reducing financial barriers to healthcare through sustained humanitarian interventions.
According to him, the initiative is part of the foundation’s corporate social responsibility aimed at complementing government efforts to provide affordable and accessible healthcare services.
“Our goal is to complement government efforts and reduce the burden of healthcare costs on vulnerable people, many of whom struggle to meet their basic needs,” he said.
Kabir assured beneficiaries that the foundation would continue to invest in life-changing healthcare interventions, particularly for underserved communities, to improve their quality of life.
One of the beneficiaries, Malama Binta Ali, said the surgery had renewed her hope after living with poor eyesight for more than four years.
“For over four years, I have been battling this eye problem, but today the Mangal Foundation has come to my rescue. I am deeply grateful,” she said.
Ali commended the foundation for the gesture and urged other philanthropists and corporate organisations to support vulnerable people with similar interventions.
Another beneficiary, Malam Salele Abubakar, described the foundation’s support as life-changing.
He said the foundation had sponsored surgery for his urological condition about two weeks earlier and had now restored his sight through the free cataract operation.
“I have no words to express my gratitude except to thank Almighty Allah and pray for Alhaji Dahiru Mangal and his family for this kindness,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Yakubu Uba