By Els William, 12/2/2023
Shell Petroleum Development Company has taken it medical outreach, “Health-In-Motion to Elelenwo community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area (LGA) in River State, South South Nigeria. This was in continuation of the company’s social investment interventions within their Host communities.
Declaring the three-Day free medical programme open, Igo Weli, Director and Head of the company’s Corporate Relations, stated that ‘Vision First Initiative’ is part of their ‘health-in-motion’ programme in Rumuolokwu communities in August 2023.
“This edition of the programme also incorporates Shell’s award-winning ‘Vision First Initiative’, to provide comprehensive eye care services to the people of Elelenwo community.
“The vision first initiative is also a community-focused eye care programme that supports efforts in the elimination and prevention of treatable blindness among people in host communities
“Cumulatively, it has reached 2,671 visually impaired individuals, provided corrective lenses to 1,253 with refractive errors, completed 254 successful ophthalmic surgeries and trained 30 vision finders in communities in the Niger Delta (Bayelsa and Rivers) and over 27 communities in Lagos State
“SPDC values the health and safety of individuals who work with or around us and we have resolved to continue to pursue innovative ways to provide care to people in the areas where we operate
“Our philosophy is that health is your true wealth, and a healthy population will continue to be productive, resulting in the overall well-being of society
“We hope that by doing this, we will be able to support the Rivers State government’s efforts at all levels to provide accessible healthcare to the people.”
Cardiovascular screening, consultation and treatment of mild chronic diseases, dental care, de-worming, breast and cervical cancer screening, laboratory and pharmaceutical services, are some of the services listed under the programme.
Dr. Adaeze Oreh, the State’s Commissioner of Health, represented by Dr (Mrs) Aziemeola Pius, while commending Shell for bring healthcare service to the doorstep of the people of River State. She noted that “A significant part of the cases go untreated due to inaccessible eye care services and lack of awareness of where to seek services”
The programme started from November 28 and ran for three days.