No fewer than 25 children have regained their eye sights in Kebbi after a free surgical operation conducted by a Saudi-based NGO, Albasar International Foundation.
Alhaji Atiku Gende, Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Health, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday.
He said the children, aged six to nine, underwent surgery for different eye ailments.
Kende said the free eye treatment would continue for the next one month, and urged people living with eye defects in the state to come forward for diagnoosis and possible remedy.
He expressed government appreciation to the NGO, stressing that the government would continue to collaborate with such organizations to better the lots of the people.
Misbahu Zaharadden, a nine-year-old boy who regained his sight after the surgery, expressed gratitude to the organisation for restoring hope in him, to pursue his life ambition of becoming a lawyer.
“I have fully regained my sight but before now I had lost hope,” the boy said.
NAN reports that a total of 750 patients out of 5, 000 targeted had received various forms of teatment since the exercise started on Sunday, Oct. 9.(NAN)