By Uthman Baba-Sirajdeen, Minna
A non-governmental organization (NGO), Sani Bello Foundation, has offered free surgical operation to persons suffering from various diseases which includes hernia, fibroids, appendicitis, goiter and lumps.
The Chairman and Founder of the Foundation and former Military Administrator of old Kano state, Col. Sani Bello (rtd) disclosed this during the flag-off of the year, 2023 free surgical festival/medical services in Kontagora .
Retired Colonel Bello said he feels fulfilled whenever he sees smiles on the faces of people with various types of illness, who ordinarily cannot afford to pay medical bills being treated free of charge and therefore wants other well to do individuals and corporate organizations to join him in sacrificing for the good of the less privileged Nigerians
The free surgical festival taking place at Kontagora General hospital, in collaboration with Graceland Health Development Foundation, Bello said has been providing free health services to humanity for about ten years now.
The increasing socio-economic hardship as most Nigerians can hardly afford a day’s meal, Colonel Bello said it has become expedient for wealthy individuals to assist the poor and the have-nots in the society.
“I feel happy and fulfilled whenever I see sparkling smiles on the faces of poor Nigerians set free from ill health through our Foundation”, Bello said as he pleaded with other wealthy Nigerians to invest what God has blessed them with for the good of the poor and needy around them.
“This Foundation have touched the lives of many, including people we don’t even know coming all the way from places like; Lagos, Akwa-Ibom, Imo, Sokoto and Kano states”, the former Military Administrator said as he thanked God for the gift of life and other immeasurable favours done to him.
He told the gathering that the free medical care is part of events to commemorate his 81st birthday, adding that, ‘I’d rather use my money to serve humanity, taking care of their health needs during my birthday instead of spending collosal amount of resources to hold big party for dignatories that doesn’t even need food which to me is a waste of money, time and resources’.
What is being witnessed today and for the next six days, Bello said ‘is my own way of sharing love with the less privileged, my 81st birthday gift to these patients in order to bring soccur and relief to their body and soul’.
Also speaking, Chairman Graceland Health Development Foundation, Kaduna, Dr. Tohot Dogo expressed to God that the ten years collaboration have successfully brought relief to no fewer than 13, 000 patients with different forms of ailments with major and minor surgeries.
The Director-General Sani Bello Foundation, Mr. Zakari Ikani had earlier in his welcome address said the target for this year’s surgical festival is 350 persons, but with the support of in-house doctors can cope with the increasing number of patients that registered for the free medical care from within and outside Niger state.
Our correspondent reports that among the ailments to be treated during the five day festival included; fibroids, appendicitis, lumps, hernia and goiter.
