Hussaini Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has unveiled a Saudi-backed medical intervention at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, where 52 patients received free urological surgeries during a six-day specialist outreach.
The programme was conducted by a team of specialist doctors from Saudi Arabia under the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, targeting vulnerable residents who could not afford specialised surgical treatment.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the exercise on Friday, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf commended the Saudi government and the medical team for supporting residents requiring specialised healthcare.
“The intervention marked the fourth time a Saudi medical team had conducted a surgical outreach in Kano.
“More than 2,300 free eye surgeries were performed in the state during a similar intervention in 2023,” he stated.
The governor also recalled the case of conjoined twins from Kano who were taken to Saudi Arabia in 2023 for specialised surgery and spent two years receiving medical care before returning to the state.
He said the Kano State Government would continue to strengthen its healthcare partnership with Saudi Arabia, adding that arrangements were underway for the commencement of open-heart surgeries in Kano.
Yusuf said the latest intervention demonstrated the value of continued cooperation between Kano and Saudi Arabia in providing specialised healthcare to residents who might otherwise be unable to afford such treatment.
“The Kano State Government will continue to strengthen its partnership with Saudi Arabia in healthcare,” Yusuf said.
He added that the state government was committed to expanding access to specialised medical services and strengthening healthcare institutions.
Yusuf commended the management and staff of AKTH for their commitment to healthcare delivery and assured the hospital of the state government’s continued support.
The governor also appreciated the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Nigeria and the Consul General of Saudi Arabia in Kano, Sheikh Khalil Ahmad, for their contributions towards strengthening relations between Kano State and Saudi Arabia.
He said the government would continue to invest in healthcare infrastructure and human resources to improve specialised medical services in the state.
“Our administration remains committed to improving healthcare infrastructure, recruiting medical personnel and expanding access to specialised medical and surgical services,” Yusuf said.
The team leader, renowned urologist Dr Ali Ibn Mahfouz, said the medical team comprised highly experienced specialists who successfully carried out the required procedures without recording any complications.
“The team comprised highly experienced specialists who successfully conducted the required procedures while recording zero complications in all cases,” Mahfouz said.
He said the successful completion of the procedures reflected the expertise of the visiting specialists and the cooperation of the medical personnel at AKTH.
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