NNPC Foundation Launches Free Cataract Screening and Surgery Program in Bayelsa State
The Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Foundation has initiated a free cataract screening and surgery program aimed at restoring sight to over 1,000 individuals in Bayelsa State. This initiative took place on Monday at the Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa and the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital in Okolobiri, both located within the Yenagoa Local Government Area.
Mrs. Emmanuella Arukwe, Managing Director of the NNPC Foundation, emphasized that the program is designed to address the significant issue of vision impairment caused by cataracts, which affect many Nigerians. Represented by Jude Ayalogu, the Manager of the Healthcare Programme, Arukwe noted that this intervention is part of a broader effort that seeks to restore sight to 6,000 underprivileged Nigerians across the six geopolitical zones of the country.
“Cataracts remain one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide,” Arukwe stated. “The World Health Organization reports that nearly 50 percent of blindness cases in Nigeria are due to cataracts. In rural and underserved areas, limited access to quality eye care exacerbates this issue, causing many individuals to live with avoidable blindness due to financial constraints.”
She added, “This issue transcends health; it poses a social and economic crisis, impacting productivity, independence, and overall quality of life. At NNPC Foundation, we believe that sight is not just a sensory experience; it is a crucial component of human dignity and opportunity. This understanding is at the core of our outreach initiatives.”
Through this program, the foundation aims to provide not only free cataract screenings and surgeries but also public education on eye health. The goal is to restore sight to 6,000 individuals nationwide, with 1,000 beneficiaries from each geopolitical zone. The NNPC Foundation has already achieved its target in the South-West zone earlier this year.
This current initiative is part of a series of healthcare efforts undertaken by the NNPC Foundation over the past two years. These include a pilot eye screening and treatment for glaucoma for over 290 people in Abuja, free cancer screenings and counseling for approximately 3,440 individuals across all six geopolitical zones, and medical outreach focused on treating non-communicable diseases, along with distributing medical supplies to approximately 450 residents of Garki village in Abuja.
Dr. James Omietimi, Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa, explained that cataracts are a leading cause of reversible blindness, particularly prevalent among older adults. He urged the public to take advantage of the NNPC Foundation’s free cataract screening and surgery program while commending the foundation for its generous offering. He highlighted that the cost of cataract surgery at public hospitals ranges from N100,000 to N150,000, while private facilities may charge over N300,000.
One of the attendees, 60-year-old Highness Opokuni, expressed his gratitude, sharing that he had been living with cataracts for two years, which had severely impacted his financial situation. “This initiative is a lifeline for individuals like me, who cannot afford cataract treatment,” he stated.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Dr. Gloria Diri, the First Lady of Bayelsa State, as well as state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seyefa Brisibe, and Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai.
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