The Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN) has provided free cataract surgeries to no fewer than 50 residents of Zaria, a suburb of Kaduna State.
The outreach, which included various medical checkups and treatments, was part of the activities to mark the 24th Biennial Conference and Scientific Meeting in Zaria City.
According to the president of the association, Dr Aisha Mustapha, the outreach aimed to enhance the well-being of citizens, particularly in the wake of the increase in cataract cases in the country.
Our reporter reports that the free medical and surgical outreach is expected to last between the 19th and 31st of August, 2025, with cervical cancer prevention services for 150 women and to provide other screening.
Fielding questions from journalists during the outreach, MWAN’s president explained that “some people carry their surgical conditions about for over thirty years, and this is because they could not afford it, and we are on this mission as part of our corporate social responsibility to give free medical services to the affected people.”
Speaking on the primary cause of the disease, Dr Mustapha attributed cataracts to age-related changes in the lens of the eye. “As people age, the proteins in the lens can clump together, causing clouding and leading to the development of cataracts. While ageing is the most common cause, other factors can contribute, including genetics, eye injuries, certain medical conditions, and long-term use of some medications.”
On prevention, she said that someone can significantly lower the risk and potentially slow their progression by adopting healthy lifestyle choices and getting regular eye exams.
In their separate remarks, the beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the organiser of the exercise.
According to Grace Akema, aged 59, a beneficiary of the free medical surgery, she explained that over the years she has had the disease, which she could not afford to have operated on.
She prayed to God to grant the organiser more financial power to do more and extend a helping hand to other people who are also in need of such help.
Meanwhile, the association applauded the unwavering support of the Emir of Zazau, HRH Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, towards the exercise and the 24th Biennial Conference.
