Sakinah Medical Outreach (SMO) and Medics Across Borders (MAC), in collaboration with the National Hospital Abuja (NHA) have earmarked about N200 million for treatment of indigent Nigerians suffering from ailments such as prostate, hernia, kidney stone and others to give them a new lease of life.
The vice chairman, SMO, Professor A’isha Ahmed Abubakar, revealed this while addressing journalists on Sunday in Abuja.
According to the Professor of Public Health and Epidemiology at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching University (ABUTH), Zaria, the 6-day event is a shared commitment of SMO not only to contribute to the well-being of Nigerians but also to provide hope, love,, and compassion to those in need. She said everything is set as the medical team and volunteers, comprising Nigerians and foreign experts, are on ground “to provide quality medical care to over 100 undeserved Nigerians.”
“The value of this mission cannot be overstated. It represents a beacon of hope for those who have been struggling to access quality healthcare. It demonstrates our collective responsibility to care for one another, regardless of background or circumstance. And it highlights the power of collaboration and partnership in driving positive change.
“Since our inception in 2009 as part of the Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) and our subsequent incorporation as a separate entity in 2017, Sakinah Medical Outreach has emerged to be the leading Muslim medical charity organization in the country and we remain steadfast in our mission to bridge the healthcare gap.
“To date, we have facilitated life-saving treatments for over 13,000 individuals, investing more than ₦150 million in medical and surgical interventions. But our work is far from over, millions still lack access to the specialized care they so desperately need.
“This initiative is not just about surgeries; it is about restoring dignity, relieving suffering, and offering a second chance at life. We have assembled a dedicated team of highly skilled surgeons, medical professionals, and selfless volunteers who will perform life-saving procedures, including urethral surgery, prostate surgery, kidney stone removal, urinary system surgery, lipoma removal, male circumcision, and hernia repairs.
“These interventions will directly alleviate pain, disability, and life-threatening conditions that afflict many in our communities. Surgical intervention can mean the difference between a life of suffering and one of hope and productivity.
“I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to our partners, Medics Across Continents, and their sponsors in the UK. And to the National Hospital Abuja for its unwavering support and commitment to this mission. Together, we have worked tirelessly to ensure the success of this initiative, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration in the years to come,” Professor A’isha Abubakar said.
The chairman, Medics Across Continents, Professor Matin Sheriff, while thanking SMO and the National Hospital for the partnership, said his organisation believes in teamwork and collaboration that will result in local engagement and empowerment as they look forward to a sustainable and long-term project.
He said, “I’m truly grateful to our host, the Sakinah Medical Outreach, as well as the National Hospital, Abuja, for this opportunity. We are here to save humanity, and as it is stated in the Holy Quran, you save one life, and you save humanity. We are here to do our bit which is to save lives.
“We believe in teamwork and collaboration and we believe in local engagement empowerment so that we can have a more sustainable activity. We are not just coming here to show our expertise; we must work with the local team.
“And this is a two-way process not just one way. As we agree to save lives, the focus of this workshop has already been outlined. It’s predominantly urological work. We are also doing work in relationships with others to perform live-saving procedures, as Professor A’isha has said earlier.
“You’ve heard about (kidney) stones, which are a major cause of kidney failure worldwide, and they are a very significant issue in Nigeria. The aim is to introduce innovation to carry out surgeries through a key whole approach,, and at the National Hospital Abuja, we are hoping to work with the local team to make histor,y, and it will be sustainable not just once but on a long-term basis.
The chairman, SMO, Dr. Salman Yusuf, and Dr. Olawale Badejo from the National Hospital, Abuja, in their separate remarks, assured of quality treatment and safety of patients, saying the program will give room for the transfer of skills and knowledge among the medical practitioners.
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