At least, a total of 160 cataract patients, including three children born with the disease have been successfully operated upon when the NNPC Foundation Ltd/Gte flagged-off its South West free cataract screenings and extractive surgeries in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
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The health outreach initiative, which is currently underway in the South West, aims to provide essential healthcare services to those in need.
The exercise, held at the Ophthalmology Center of the Federal Medical Centre , Abeokuta, Ogun State, witnessed the convergence of about 800 patients, who had earlier been screened and booked for sight restoration surgery targeted at 1, 000 patients from across the South West Region.
The Managing Director, NNPC Foundation Ltd/Gte, Mrs. Emmanuella Arukwe during the flag-off ceremony, explained that the medical outreach was to combat the widespread issue of vision impairment caused by cataracts that has severely impacted many Nigerians
Arukwe, who was represented by the foundations Deputy Manager on Special Projects, Mrs. Teniola Abu noted that the Foundation, being the social impact arm of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited , was motivated into embarking on the outreach having understood that “vision is not merely a sense, but a fundamental enabler of human dignity and opportunity”.
“This understanding is at the core of our initiative. We are dedicated to creating sustainable, far-reaching initiatives.
“This programme embodies our commitment to building a society where no one is left behind. It aligns with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3″.
Arukwe further disclosed that the NNPC Foundation’s South West medical outreach programme, will be expanded to the five other geo-political zones across the nation in the coming months, thereby bringing the total number of NNPC’s sight restoration medical outreach to 6, 000 Nigerians.
“Its purpose is to combat the widespread issue of vision impairment caused by cataracts, a condition that has severely impacted many Nigerians. “
“Through this programme, we aim to provide free cataract screenings, surgeries, and public education on eye health. We anticipate restoring sight of up to 1, 000 individuals in the South-West. Beyond the numbers, this means transforming lives—helping breadwinners regain their livelihoods, empowering students to pursue their studies, and enabling individuals to experience the joys of life once again “. She added.
The Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Professor. Adewale Musa-Olomu urged NNPC not to limit the medical outreach programme to cataract screenings and extraction surgeries alone, but extend it to cover other health related issues.
MyThe lead consultant to the foundation, Dr Anne Okoroafor Amugo, noted that the focus is to support indigent and non indigent individuals, by restoring vision to those in need, enabling them to regain their productivity and independence.
“The NNPC Foundation is undertaking this initiative as a responsible corporate citizen, aiming to positively impact the lives of indigent Nigerians.
“While the primary focus is on supporting indigent individuals, some non-indigent persons are also benefiting from the program. The NNPC Foundation is proud to be restoring vision to those in need, enabling them to regain their productivity and independence.”
She said, “We have identified three children born with blindness, One of these children was previously referred to the University College Hospital (UCH) but was unable to receive treatment due to financial constraints.
” Bilateral cataracts can cause total blindness, making this initiative a vital lifeline for those affected.
Ogun state Commissioner for Health , Dr. Tomi Coker, described the intervention as timely, she however, urged residents to take advantage of the programme rather than seeking alternatives.
Mother of a five years old beneficiaries, Adebisi Odunuga, expressed gratitude to the foundation for helping them, pointing out that the last hospital they visited charged them N2.2 million.
She said, “I came all the way from Sagamu to do the operation for my daughter. It started right from when she was a child, we just didn’t notice it on time. She’s five years old, we didn’t take it serious until it got to this stage.
Similarly, Bankole Rahaman told VON’s Correspondent that he has been battling with cataract for over 10 years and has spent over N270,000 yet to no avail.
He expressed gratitude for being part of those selected and operated on.
Over the past 20 months, NNPC Foundation has spearheaded numerous healthcare initiatives, including a pilot eye screening and glaucoma treatment programme for over 290 individuals in Abuja, Nigeria Federal Capital Territory.
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