The NNPC (Nigerian National Petroleum Company) Foundation has started free cataract extraction surgeries in Bayelsa State, with a target to treat 1000 patients in the South- South geo-political zone.
The Managing Director of the Foundation, Mrs Emmanuella Arukwe, during the launch of the programme at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, noted that the foundation is determined to arrest the prevalent vision impairment and blindness across the country caused by cataract to boost the health of Nigerians.
“Beyond the numbers, this means enabling people to reclaim their sight and enjoy the bountiful sights of nature, empowering breadwinners to work and support families, and giving students the chance to excel in their studies.
‘’NNPC Foundation’s decision to embark on this journey stems from two key motivations. First, it is deeply rooted in our mission to drive social impact based on our mandate as the social impact arm of NNPC Limited, committed to sustainable initiatives for target beneficiaries. Second, it aligns seamlessly with one of our key focus areas, which targets healthcare and community development. By addressing preventable blindness, we are not only improving individual lives but also strengthening families and local economies,’’ she added.
The First Lady of Bayelsa, Dr Mrs Gloria Diri, commended the NNPC Foundation for its commitment to improve healthcare in Nigeria.
Omietimi, who expressed happiness that the FMC Yenagoa was picked by the NNPC Foundation as the venue of the surgery, called on other non-governmental organisations to rise to the challenge to tackle other life-threatening diseases.
