FROM RAHILA ABDULLAHI, KADUNA
Medical Women Association of Nigeria, MWAN, has provided free cataract surgery to no fewer than 50 residents of Zaria, Kaduna State.
The outreach, which included various medical checkups and treatments, was part of activities to mark the 24th Biennial Conference and Scientific Meeting of the association in Zaria.
According to the President of the association, Dr Aisha Mustapha, the outreach will enhance the well-being of citizens, particularly in the wake of the increase in cataract cases in the country.
Our correspondent reports that the free medical and surgical outreach will hold between August 29 and 31 with cervical cancer prevention services to 150 women.
Fielding questions from journalists during the outreach, Dr Mustapha said “some people are carrying their surgical conditions about for over 30 years and this is because they cannot afford it. We are on this mission as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, to give free medical services to the affected people.”
She attributed cataract to age-related changes in the lens of the eye.
“As people age, the proteins in the lens can clump together, causing clouding and leading to the development of cataract. While aging is the most common cause, other factors can contribute, including genetics, eye injuries, certain medical conditions and long-term use of some medications,” she said.
On prevention, she noted that someone can significantly lower the risk and potentially slow their progression by adopting healthy lifestyle choices and getting regular eye examination.
In their separate remarks, the beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the organiser of the exercise.
A beneficiary, 59 years old Grace Akema said for years, she had been living with the disease, as she could not afford the cost of surgery.
She prayed God to grant the organisers more financial power to do more and extend hands of help to other people who are also in need.
Meanwhile, the association lauded the support of the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Ahmed Bamalli, towards the exercise and the biennial conference.
