The Katsina State Government has completed free eye surgeries for about 1,000 indigent patients, in a large-scale medical outreach aimed at restoring sight and reducing preventable blindness across the state.

The intervention was carried out with support from the Darrul Imara Charity Foundation and Endowment, Kano, and implemented at the Old Market Eye Hospital in Katsina. Health officials described the programme as a lifeline for residents who could not afford specialist eye care or surgical procedures.

According to the Ministry of Health, the exercise marked the second phase of a broader initiative to tackle eye diseases such as cataracts and other conditions that often go untreated in low-income communities. Medical teams screened patients, performed surgeries and provided post-operative care, including medications and follow-up appointments.

All procedures were reported to have been completed successfully, with no recorded medical complications. Health workers involved in the outreach said many beneficiaries had lived with impaired vision for years, relying on family members for basic tasks, and were now regaining independence.

The Commissioner for Health, Hamza Suleiman-Funtua, however, received a complaint circulated on social media alleging inappropriate conduct by some hospital staff during the exercise. In response, the ministry set up an investigative committee led by the Permanent Secretary, Dr Lawal Aliyu-Rabe, to examine the claims.

The committee has been mandated to review the conduct of personnel involved in the programme, interview witnesses and patients, and recommend sanctions or corrective measures where necessary. The ministry emphasised that the inquiry would be handled with fairness and transparency to maintain public confidence.

Officials stressed that while the state remains committed to expanding access to free and affordable healthcare, it will not overlook allegations that could undermine patient safety, dignity or trust in public institutions.

The Ministry of Health reiterated its resolve to protect the integrity of its programmes and to ensure that future medical outreaches meet both clinical and ethical standards. It also signalled plans to continue similar eye-care interventions, noting that preventable blindness remains a significant public health challenge in Katsina and neighbouring states.