Musa Na Allah, Sokoto
On Saturday, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko launched a five-day free medical outreach aimed at providing eye care to 5,000 constituents suffering from various vision-related ailments.
The outreach, a collaboration between the Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko Foundation and professionals from the Vision Savers Eye Centre, began over the weekend.
It marks yet another milestone in Senator Wamakko’s continuous efforts to uplift his constituents through health, education, and empowerment initiatives.
The medical exercise focuses on screening, diagnosis, and treatment of common and severe eye conditions, bringing hope to thousands who have struggled in silence.
It represents the lawmaker’s unyielding dedication to improving the lives of the people in Sokoto North Senatorial District.
Senator Wamakko, who served as a two-term governor of Sokoto State and now represents Sokoto North at the National Assembly, emphasized that the initiative is part of a broader humanitarian campaign.
“This outreach is one of our many programs centered on health, skills acquisition, scholarships, and social welfare,” he said.
Sokoto North Senatorial District, which comprises Sokoto North, Sokoto South, Kware, Binji, Silame, Wamakko, Tangaza, and Gudu local governments, continues to benefit from Wamakko’s tireless philanthropic work.
Highlighting the critical importance of eye health, Senator Wamakko stressed, “The eyes are one of the most delicate and essential organs in the human body.
Losing sight can be a devastating setback in anyone’s life. That is why we are here to intervene, to support, and to restore hope.”
Represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary of the Sokoto State Ministry of Agriculture, Al-Mustapha Abubakar Alkali, Wamakko noted that the outreach is fully equipped with modern medical tools and personnel to ensure effective service delivery.
He recalled that the Foundation had embarked on similar eye care programmes in 2017 and 2018. In addition to health initiatives, the foundation has also supported the local communities with agricultural resources, clean water access, submersible pumps for irrigation, and rural electrification projects.
The senator used the opportunity to urge other lawmakers and stakeholders to emulate such impactful interventions that directly touch the lives of ordinary citizens.
“If we all do our part, we can change countless lives for the better,” he added.
Dr. Bala, one of the lead medical professionals from Vision Savers Eye Centre, explained that the outreach will address three primary categories of eye problems: surgery, treatment, and allergies.
“We are attending to patients with glaucoma, short and long sightedness, and other serious eye conditions. Those requiring surgery will be operated on,” Dr. Bala said.
He added that patients in need of prescription glasses would receive them free of charge, while those with near-total loss of vision would undergo surgery at the Sokoto Specialist Hospital.
“We have made arrangements with the Sokoto State Specialist Hospital to handle surgical cases effectively and timely,” Dr. Bala confirmed.
The medical team and beneficiaries alike expressed deep appreciation to Senator Wamakko for his generosity and foresight.
They also thanked the Sokoto State Government for facilitating access to the Specialist Hospital for the procedures.
This life changing initiative underscores a profound truth: when leadership meets compassion, vision becomes reality not just in sight, but in purpose.
