The Sani Bello Foundation, in association with Graceland Healthcare Development Foundation, provided free surgical care to over 600 patients at the Kontagora General Hospital, in commemoration of the birthday of Col. Sani Bello (Rtd).
The initiative focused on ailments such as fibroids, appendicitis, hernias, goiter, lumps and eye problems including cataracts and pterygium. It included dental services for the first time and distributed more than 600 glasses.
Sani Bello Foundation Vice President Usman Sani Bello said the reason for the campaign was to help humanity.
Despite safety fears, the event was developed after screening more than 3,000 patients. Surgeries performed surpassed 550 last year, encompassing thyroidectomies, myomectomies, hysterectomies, hernia repairs and more than 100 cataract extractions, each worth between N90,000 and N100,000.
Chief Surgeon and Chairman of the Graceland Health Development Foundation, Kaduna, Dr. Tort Joseph, highlighted important procedures and referrals for complex cases, and the foundation funds treatments such as neurofibroma at the National Eye Center in Kaduna.
The beneficiaries were from Lagos, Akure, Ibadan, Port Harcourt and local areas such as Gwada and Minna.
Sani Bello Foundation CEO Dr Zakari Ikani said the selection was done through advertisements and text messages, adding that no connections were required.
Beyond the surgeries, the foundation said it offered year-round scholarships, vocational training and a two-year malnutrition center that helped more than 10 children this year amid economic hardship.
The vice president said the foundation’s future plans include expanding outreach organically, potentially through the Sani Bello University Hospital for paid advanced testing, and reducing travel burdens for medical check-ups in Minna and Abuja.
Bello urged shared responsibility to meet the nation’s medical needs, saying, “We cannot leave everything in the hands of the government.”
The Kontagora-based effort, rooted in Col. Bello’s ties, now attracts patients from across the country with West African ambitions.
The treatment breakdown includes 399 general surgeries, 117 eye operations, 199 dental procedures, 174 total toothpaste and toothbrush dispensers, 122 dental medications administered, 91 tooth extractions, 59 tooth brushings and 45 tooth replacements. A total of 4,680 medications were distributed.
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