The Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria (OSN) has expressed deep concerns over the rising number of cataract patients in Kano State, warning that the condition is causing avoidable blindness among residents.
A Consultant Ophthalmologist, Dr. Umar Faruk Ibrahim, disclosed this, saying the society, in partnership with Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, performed surgeries for 500 patients to reduce the burden.
“We conducted free cataract surgeries for 400 patients at AKTH and 100 at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital,” Dr. Faruk, the Organising Committee chairman, said.
“We also provided glasses and medicines for those whose cases did not require surgery. This is our way of reducing the burden of blindness and giving people back their independence.”
Also speaking, Dr. Saudat Garba Habib, an ophthalmologist at AKTH, who also participated in the outreach, said the impact goes far beyond medical treatment.
“Restoring sight changes everything. People who could not work can now return to farming, trading, or schooling. It lifts whole families out of hardship,” she said.
She stressed that sight restoration must be matched with opportunities. “When someone regains vision after years of blindness, they need more than medicine - they need support to reintegrate, to earn a living, and to care for their dependents.”
62-year-old Zakariya Muhammad is one of 500 patients who benefited from the surgery. Muhammad revealed that “he lost his sight for years due to cataract and could not afford surgery.”
He applauded the society and the hospitals for the gesture.
