By ADEROGBA GEORGE

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) said that no fewer than 500 cataract patients would be treated in the first phase of its planned free medical outreach in Kwali, FCT.

The information was made known in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Health and Human Service Secretariat (HHSS) of FCTA, Mr. Samuel Musa, and issued to newsmen on Wednesday.

Musa reported the Director of Public Health Department of the FCT, Dr. Saddiq Abdulrahman, while flagging-off the advocacy and awareness creation as saying that the exercise would hold between May 28 and June 5.

He said the free cataract surgery would take place at the kwali General Hospital and called on residents of the Area Council, neighboring states to the FCT particularly those with cataract issue and other less privileged, to make use of the opportunity.

According to him, the potential cataract patients should also visit any of the FCT General Hospitals or FCT Primary Health Care providers nearer to them for pre-screening of the exercise and subsequent referral.

“FCT administration, through the Mandate Secretary of Health in the FCT, is looking forward to residents’ usual cooperation to provide access to high quality eye care and surgeries for the less privileged in the city and Nigerians at large.

“The pre-screening exercise has commenced simultaneously across the six Area Councils General Hospitals and Primary Health Care centers in the FCT.

“The FCT administration, through the Mandate Secretariat (HHSS), has relieved the cost of the surgery for the first 500 patients out of which 20 slots each is provided for every of the area councils.

“Residents of the FCT and environs, particularly the less privileged with cataract challenges among us, should avail themselves of the opportunity to have their eyes sight corrected.

“A team of officers from the Mandate Secretariat has been moving around the six area councils and the neighboring states to create the awareness and religious leaders are encouraged to inform their members,” he said. (NAN)

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