The Wunti Al-Khair Foundation in partnership with Albasar International Foundation, Makka Specialist Eye Hospital, has organized a One-day free optical diagnostic and treatment outreach for not fewer than 1000 vulnerable residents of Bauchi LGA, aimed at giving back to the society.
The Health Officer of the Wunti Al-Khair Foundation, Abduljabbar Ismail, said that, “Today, we embarked on the optical outreach for residents of Bauchi LGA. We have Opticians who will look at the patients and attend to every aspect of eye treatment.”
He added that, “We are also ready to make those who need surgery to undergo such at the collaborative facilities even outside Bauchi State but across the country.”
He also said that, “Apart from the medical outreach, we have prepared food for all of them so that they will have something in their stomach while waiting to be attended to.”
Abduljabbar Ismail assured that very soon, the outreach will be done at the Zonal levels that are in the State after which it will go down to each of the 20 LGAs in the State.
Also speaking, Bala Salisu Abba, from Makka Specialist Eye Hospital, Bauchi, said, “We are here attending to patients and conducting eye screenings. Alhamdulillah, we have encountered a large number of people with different eye conditions requiring medical attention.”
According to him, “Our primary focus is on screening and managing various eye diseases. First, we are screening patients for cataracts. Secondly, we are identifying people with refractive errors—those who have difficulty seeing clearly, whether at a distance or close range, and who may require corrective glasses.”
He added that,”We are also screening for conditions such as glaucoma and retinal diseases. Although we do not provide retinal treatment at Makka Specialist Eye Hospital, we have a strong referral system that ensures patients receive appropriate care elsewhere so they do not lose their sight in the future.”
“We also attend to conditions such as pterygium, corneal disorders, and other medical eye conditions. Any condition that falls within our scope of practice will be managed directly. For cases requiring specialized treatment, we have established referral pathways to the appropriate facilities. We maintain strong professional connections with eye-care institutions both within Nigeria and internationally, enabling us to ensure patients receive the care they need,” he added.
Bala Saliu Abba added that, “The eyes are among the most important organs of the human body, and protecting them should be a priority. Beyond regular eye check-ups, people should be aware that many eye conditions can develop without obvious symptoms. The most effective way to prevent vision loss is through early detection.”
He further said, “For example, a person may have retinal detachment without realizing it, and if left untreated, it can lead to irreversible blindness. Similarly, glaucoma can be hereditary and may progress silently without noticeable symptoms. Regular eye examinations are therefore essential.”
He assured that,”During a comprehensive eye examination, specialists may check eye pressure, conduct Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), assess visual fields, perform refraction tests, evaluate pupil reactions, and carry out other necessary investigations. These tests help detect conditions that may not be visible or noticeable to the patient.”
“In fact, an eye may appear perfectly healthy on the outside while serious problems exist internally. The eye consists of several parts, including the outer structures, the optical media, and the inner structures, all of which require proper examination,” he added.
The Eye Specialist then stressed, “My advice to everyone is simple: make eye check-ups a routine part of your healthcare. Even if it is only once a year, visit a qualified eye-care facility for a comprehensive examination. This will help determine the condition of your eyes and allow any problems to be detected and treated early.”
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to Journalists, commended the organizations for the outreach saying that it came at the right time when it was actually needed considering the economic situation of the country.
One of the beneficiaries who identified himself as the Chief drummer of the Emir of Bauchi, said that he was delighted to be among those who are benefiting from the outreach saying that it really came at the right time.
Also, Hajiya Amina Lawal who said she is 60 years old and having challenges in her two eyes, commended the organizers for choosing her to benefit.
All of the beneficiaries who spoke called on other well to do individuals in the State to imbibe the culture of philanthropy in order to take care of the vulnerable people in the society.
