In a significant humanitarian effort, more than 600 Nigerians have received free surgical care during a large-scale medical outreach in Niger State. The initiative, a collaboration between the Sani Bello Foundation and the Graceland Health Care Development Foundation, was officially launched on Saturday, 29 November 2025, at the General Hospital in Kontagora.
A Mission to Assist Humanity
Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chairman of the Sani Bello Foundation, Dr. Usman Sani Bello, emphasized the foundation's ongoing commitment to supporting society's most vulnerable through its annual medical programmes. He explained the urgent need for the 2025 intervention, stating that the team acted to prevent people from waiting another full year for critical care. "We assembled the medical team and today we have conducted several surgeries," Dr. Bello said.
Beyond surgical procedures, the outreach also provided crucial nutritional support for children. Dr. Bello highlighted that many children were admitted and given high-protein diets to improve their health. He made a heartfelt appeal to the public, suggesting that "if Nigerians would walk around with a biscuit or granut in their pockets and give it to vulnerable children, we can all make a difference."
Record-Breaking Medical Impact
The 2025 outreach programme yielded impressive results, demonstrating its massive scope and vital importance to the community. The final tally of services provided included:
- 2,340 screenings conducted
- 648 surgeries performed successfully
- 1,704 drug dispensations to patients
- 600 prescriptions for glasses issued
Dr. Zakari Ikani, the Director-General of the Sani Bello Foundation, revealed a key expansion this year: the inclusion of dental cases for the first time. This broadened the programme's reach, increasing the number of beneficiaries from the usual 450 to over 600. "Even with the security challenges and fairs, God has helped us, and this is what we have achieved so far," he noted. Dr. Ikani also highlighted that the foundation's year-round support extends beyond healthcare to include scholarships, financial aid for trainees, and vocational training.
Gratitude and Life-Saving Interventions
The selection process for beneficiaries was transparent and widely advertised through handbills, media adverts, and the foundation's website. Dr. Ikani confirmed that "Ninety-nine per cent of the beneficiaries we do not know personally," with some patients travelling from as far as Lagos, Akure, Ilorin, and Edo State to receive care.
Dr. Thord I. Dogo, Chairman of the Graceland Health Care Development Foundation, reported that over 2,000 patients were initially screened, with the numbers growing further. The surgeries performed were diverse and critical, including:
- Fibroid removal
- Appendectomies
- Cataract extractions
- Treatment for various vaginal conditions
Some complex cases were referred to other specialized facilities. Dr. Dogo underscored the financial barrier to healthcare, stating that some of these procedures could cost between N200,000 and over N1 million in private hospitals. "Without God and the Sani Bello Foundation, some patients could have died from their illnesses... but the foundation provides these services free of charge," he said.
The outreach concluded with an outpouring of gratitude from beneficiaries, who thanked the foundation and its founder, Col. Sani Bello (Rtd), for the life-changing humanitarian gesture, praying for his continued blessings and for relief from their ailments.
