- Appeals to individuals to assist society’s underprivileged
From John Adams, Minna
No few than 500 patients with different illnesses have benefited from the Former Kano state military administrator and Chairman Sani Bello Foundation Col. Sani Bello (rtd) foundation free medical surgical operation in Kontagora, Kontagora local government area of Niger state with an appeal to well to do individual and corporate organization to help put smiles in the faces of those in dear need of medical treatment.
The former Kano state military administrator who turned 81 years on Saturday said he feels fully fulfilled whenever he sees the smiles on the faces of people with various degree of illness and ordinarily cannot afford such medical bills being giving free treatment.
The free medical surgical operation organised by the Sani Bello Foundation in collaboration with Graceland Health Development Foundation, Kaduna was part of the activities to mark the elder statesman 81st birthday celebration which took place in the ancient city of Kontagora in Niger State.
Colonel Sani Bello (retd), speaking during the well-attended ceremony, appealed to wealthy individuals and corporate organisations to assist the poor and underprivileged inthe society, especially in the area of medical treatment.
He pointed out that he will rather use his money to serve humanity in taken care of their health during his birthday every year rather than spending huge amount of resources to hold big birthday party for dignitaries who in most cases doesn’t even need food, describing such idea as “a waste of money and time”.
He stated further that the annual free medical surgical operation is more of his 81st birthday gift to the patients who came from across the country, including Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Imo, Sokoto, Kano among others towards bringing succour and relief to them.
Earlier the Chairman Graceland Health Development Foundation Kaduna, Dr Tohot Dogo said for the past ten years of collaboration with the Sani Bello Foundation, they have successfully carried out 13,000 operations including major and minor surgeries.
He disclosed that the surgical operation includes eye surgery of those with cataract and provision of glasses, fibroid operation, appendicitis, removal of lumps, hernia, goitre among others.
Also speaking, the Vice Chairman Sani Bello Foundation Dr Usman Sani Bello called on well to do individuals to joint hands with the foundation to compliment governments efforts in the provision of effective health care services in the country, adding that in addition to the free medical surgery,“ the foundation has donated an incubator to Kontagora General Hospital which had contributed immensely in saving the lives of babies.”
Director General Sani Bello Foundation Mr Zakari Ikani said their target for this year 350 but most often they over shoot their target to between 400 and 500 patients.