In a region where access to specialized healthcare remains a significant challenge, the Mangal Foundation has emerged as a beacon of hope for eye care. Since 2016, the foundation has provided free treatment, including sight-restoring surgeries, to over 18,000 vulnerable patients suffering from debilitating eye conditions. This remarkable initiative underscores the transformative power of sustained, community-focused corporate social responsibility.
The scale of this humanitarian effort was detailed by board member Mr. Hussaini Kabir during the launch of the foundation’s 2025 last-quarter surgical camp in Katsina. The year 2025 alone saw an astounding 7,000 beneficiaries, a figure that highlights both the growing reach of the program and the profound, unmet need for ophthalmic services in the area. The foundation’s impact transcends borders, serving not only residents of Katsina State but also individuals from neighboring Nigerian states and parts of the Niger Republic, addressing a critical gap in cross-border healthcare access.
The foundation’s model is comprehensive and patient-centric. It begins with extensive community screening campaigns, which over the past two weeks identified thousands in need. For many, the journey ends with the provision of free medications and corrective eyeglasses. For those with more severe conditions, the foundation covers the entire continuum of care—from diagnosis to surgery and post-operative hospital stay—removing the financial barriers that often condemn patients to permanent blindness.
Dr. Ahmad Hamza, an ophthalmologist involved in the program, provided crucial medical context. The most common diagnoses are cataracts and glaucoma. Cataracts, a clouding of the eye’s lens, are the world’s leading cause of blindness but are reversible with a relatively short surgery. Glaucoma, often called the “silent thief of sight,” causes irreversible damage to the optic nerve through increased pressure. Dr. Hamza’s emphasis on regular check-ups is vital; early detection of glaucoma is the only way to manage the disease and prevent total vision loss, a point that makes the foundation’s screening work as preventive as it is curative.
The human impact is best told through the patients’ stories. Malam Yusufa Usman endured two years of deteriorating vision, trapped by the cost of surgery. His story is a common one in regions with limited health insurance. Similarly, Aisha Muntari’s renewed hope after nearly resigning herself to blindness illustrates the psychological and economic liberation that restored sight provides. When a breadwinner or caregiver regains vision, it stabilizes entire families and communities.
Mr. Kabir framed the foundation’s mission clearly: to complement government efforts and alleviate healthcare costs for the most vulnerable. This partnership model is essential for sustainable development. By focusing on a specific, high-impact medical niche—ophthalmology—the Mangal Foundation demonstrates how targeted philanthropic investment can create a legacy of tangible change. Their decade-long commitment shows that treating preventable blindness is not just a medical intervention but a profound investment in human dignity, productivity, and community resilience.
Source: NAN News. Edited for context and expanded analysis.
