From Seyi Tayese, Yenagoa
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Foundation in collaboration with the Bayelsa State government has flagged-off a free cataract screening and extraction medical intervention programme, targeting about 1000 patients in Bayelsa State.
Speaking during the flag off ceremony held at the Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa, on Monday, the Managing Director of NNPC Foundation Ltd, Mrs. Emmanuella Arukwe, said the medical outreach was aimed at tackling the high rate of vision impairment and blindness caused by cataracts.
Arukwe, who was represented by the Manager, Healthcare Programmes, NNPC Foundation, Mr. Jude Ayalogu, pointed out the initiative, which spans all six geopolitical zones of the country is expected to restore sight to 6,000 beneficiaries, with 1,000 from each region.
She explained that the programme is part of the Foundation’s broader healthcare intervention efforts, including past initiatives such as glaucoma screening for over 290 individuals in Abuja and cancer screenings for 3,440 Nigerians nationwide.
She said:” Vision is a key component of human dignity and productivity, and its loss poses not only pose health challenges but also social and economic consequences. By providing these surgeries and educating the public on eye health, we are creating real impact and driving positive change in the lives of our people.”
The First Lady of Bayelsa State, Mrs. Gloria Diri, who formally declared the programme open, commended the NNPC Foundation for its commitment to improving healthcare, particularly its focus on combating preventable blindness.
She urged the beneficiaries to make the most of the free services and also encouraged the public to spread the word about the importance of eye care and the availability of the programme. “Let’s help those around us who may benefit from this initiative access the care they need. The NNPC Foundation is here to provide quality treatment at no cost,” she said.
In his remark, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Health, Professor Seiyefa Brisibe, said the ongoing free cataract surgery aligned with the healthcare delivery goals of the Prosperity Administration under Governor Douye Diri.
He disclosed that the governor gave immediate approval for collaboration on the programme and also directed the Commissioner for Information to actively promote public participation through the media.
He said: “”The governor also approved support for FMC and Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital in Okolobiri, to see that this activity is a success. At this point, we have had over 500 plus screened for surgeries. As a government, we are at the forefront to see that we achieve the universal healthcare delivery by 2030, therefore we are in the business of taking healthcare to the door step of all Bayelsans.”
In his welcome address, the Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre in Bayelsa, Dr. James Omietimi, described the NNPC Foundation’s free cataract surgery programme as life-changing for the beneficiaries, adding that the first phase, which involved screening ended successfully on Friday and the second phase—the surgeries—will significantly improve the lives of many suffering from cataract-induced blindness.
Highlighting the financial burden of cataract treatment, Dr. Omietimi said many patients in low-income communities are unable to afford the care, resulting in prolonged suffering and, in many cases, total blindness. He called the intervention a timely rescue and urged other organizations to emulate the NNPC Foundation in addressing other critical health challenges.
One of the female beneficiaries, Mrs Ebimobowei Ogoun, thanked the NNPC Foundation, the Bayelsa State Government, and the entire medical team at the FMC for this life-changing opportunity, she said she couldn’t afford about N300,000 to go for the operation, but today, the burden has been lifted.
