By Daniel Tyokua
The chairman Abuja Municipal Area council, Hon. Christopher Maikalangu has met with Tulsi Chanrai Foundation Eye Hospital on necessary collaboration that will help rural dwellers access free eye treatment.
This followed the visit of the chairman of AMAC with key members of his administration to the hospital in Abuja, yesterday.
During the visit, Maikalangu said that he was amazed by the free eye treatment services rendered by the hospital to thousands of Nigerians.
He stated that as a result of the free eye care services being offered to thousands of Nigerians by the hospital, his administration will ensure that the hospital is not disturbed about tax payment 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 round 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.
“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 in the premises so that those who usually come to collect taxes will see that we have given you 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.”
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 a 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 to support us. We have not had much 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.”
