The Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, on Wednesday, led senior staff and political appointees of the council to the Tulsi Chanrai Foundation Eye Hospital in Abuja.
Addressing newsmen, after being conducted around the hospital, Maikalangu said that he was amazed by the free eye treatment services rendered by the hospital to thousands of Nigerians.
Maikalangu said that, as a result of the free eye care services to thousands of Nigerians, his administration will ensure that the hospital is not disturbed by tax payments of any kind.
Maikalangu lamented that many people in rural areas lack the wherewithal to come to the hospital for free eye treatment, hence the willingness of his administration to partner with the foundation on free eye treatment to be offered to as many AMAC residents as possible.
He said: “I am overwhelmed and happy with your modest contributions to charity. I went around the hospital and saw many people from different parts of the country who are being treated here free of charge. This is apart from the thousands of people who have been previously treated and discharged without the hospital collecting a dime from them.
“Indeed, I am excited about the assistance you render to people free of charge, especially AMAC residents. As AMAC Chairman, I am desirous of partnering with you. There are people in rural areas that don’t have access or means to this place. Therefore, it is my wish that you will take the eye medical care to them. We will pay for the cost so that you can be able to reach those in rural communities.
“Also, you complained of taxes as one of your challenges. I want to say here and now that, from today, nobody will disturb you about tax. I will ensure that a big board is mounted on the premises so that those who usually come to collect taxes will see that we have given you a waiver not to pay tax anymore.
“The hospital is doing a wonderful job in offering free eye care services to thousands of Nigerians and we have to support you in every way possible. Rest assured that we are happy with you at AMAC because of the thousands of lives you have touched, including drilling of boreholes and other humanitarian interventions.”
Speaking earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of the hospital, Shravan Kumar-Kasam, said that the hospital has been rendering free eye treatment to thousands of Nigerians, but has the challenge of being asked to pay taxes.
He said: “We believe in giving back to society. Our mission is to make sure that no one goes unnecessarily blind in Nigeria. People go blind for many reasons, including glaucoma. However, here, with just surgery, you will start seeing in a matter of hours. We have offices in different states across the country and have treated over 6,000 Nigerians free of charge.
“We have carried out other humanitarian services too, including sinking over 8,000 boreholes in different states. We believe in partnership and will like AMAC to partner with us and support us. We have not had many challenges, apart from letters from the government to pay taxes. We will continue doing our best to render free eye care services to Nigerians in this hospital.”
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