Healthcare outreach programme gets free treatment from Foundation

More than 6,000 patients were treated free-of-charge during a community healthcare outreach programme sponsored by Bala Usman Foundation, an NGO, in Musawa Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Speaking at end of the four-day exercise on Monday, the Coordinator of the foundation, Hajiya Mariya Bala-Usman, said the NGO was established by the family of late Dr Bala Usman.

Bala-Usman, who is also the State Commissioner for Health, noted that family members provided all the needed finances and was supported by some associates.

She said the outreach was conducted by the foundation in conjunction with the State Government.

She commended Gov. Aminu Masari for supporting the programme.

The coordinator explained that beneficiaries of the outreach cut across all categories of people.

She added that patients diagnosed with illness that needed specialised services would be sponsored by the foundation.

She also commended health workers, traditional, religious and community leaders for their support towards the success of the programme.

Alhaj Abdullahi Imam, the Special Adviser to the governor on Budget and Economic Planning, described the foundation’s initiative as a mark of success and fruitful life of late Dr Bala Usman.

Imam said Usman’s children had nursed the ambition of their father, who was an astute academician and their grandfather, late Alhaji Usman Liman, who was former District Head of Musawa.

He described the men as kind-hearted by assisting the needy and contributing to the progress of the society at large, during their lifetimes.

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The governor’s aide advised beneficiaries of the programme to abide by medical regulations.

He also enjoined other wealthy individuals to emulate the children of late Bala Usman, noting that Musawa was endowed with individuals that have contributed to the state and nation’s development.

One of the technical specialists of the foundation, Alhaji Mani Ibrahim, said 22 doctors, 33 nurses, 14 pharmacists and other auxiliary health workers participated in the programme, and about 6,500 persons were consulted and treated accordingly.

Ibrahim, who is the Director, Nursing Services, Katsina State Hospitals Management Authority, said many aged beneficiaries suffered eye related illness and body pains.

Some of the beneficiaries; Indo Mudi, Hauwa Galadima and Iliyasu Hassan, expressed appreciation over the support and thanked the organisers for the gesture.