By Chuks Uzochukwu
Seplat Energy has offered free eye surgeries and other related medical care services to no fewer than 3, 000 people in Imo State especially from oil producing areas of the state.
The gesture, organized in partnership with NNPC, was part of the Corporate Social Responsibility healthcare programme of the oil producing companies designed to provide quality eye care for people in their host communities.
Speaking at the official unveiling of the 2023 edition of initiative, termed 'Eye Can See' in Owerri, yesterday, the Managing Director, East Onshore, Ibi-Ada Itotoi said the initiative is a multi-million project done in line with SDG 3, aimed at ensuring healthy lives and to promote general wellbeing of all people of all ages.
Itotoi said, "other objectives of the 'Eye Can See' initiative include to provide free optical treatment at all levels to members of the communities, reduce cases of permanent loss of vision, provide free reading glasses and treat other related eye problems.
"It also aimed educating patients on ways to care for the eyes and how to detect Glaucoma as well as educate patients on lifestyle changes required to reduce the rates of Hypertension and Diabetes.
She continued, "this initiative which commenced 12 years ago has delivered 96,411 eye treatments, dispensed 45,074 reading glasses and performed 4,218 surgeries.
"In the JV’s Eastern Asset, where the programme was introduced in 2017, 16, 546 persons have been screened, 7,737 eye glasses dispensed and 577 surgeries performed.
"The ongoing programme is planned to screen 3,000 persons, perform 150 Cataract surgeries and provide 2000 reading glasses."
Also, the representative of NNPC, Wilson Halimat said, "NNPC is sensitive to the socioeconomic plights and health of the people. We are glad that NNPC with its partners is adding values on the lives of the people of our communities and the humanity at large.
She also appreciated the host communities, the Imo State Government and other Stakeholders for their supports to the company's operations in their areas over the years.
Declaring the programme open, the State governor, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, represented by the Commissioner for Niger Delta Affairs, Prince Dr. Henry Okafor, appreciated SEPLAT and NNPC for organizing the program, and assured his government continued support to their operations in the state.
One of the beneficiaries, Kelechi Onyinwoka, a native of Awarra community, Ohaji/Egbema, who had his eye operated on, said the health program was quite humanitarian.
He said, "before my eye surgery on Tuesday in Owerri, they carried out a test on BP and Blood Group. They have placed us on drugs for two weeks. I can see clearly now.
"SEPLAT and NNPC are doing well to help indigent persons live soundly. I pray that God blesses and sustains them as they intensify the humanitarian services to save more lives, relieve many from excruciating pain arising from ill health", the beneficiary said.
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