A woman has regained her sight after undergoing surgery during a five-day free medical outreach organized in Bayelsa by Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited in collaboration with the state Ministry of Health and Kolmarg Eyesight Foundation.
The News Agency of Nigeria, reports that the Vision First Plus community health outreach commenced on Tuesday at the Opolo Community Health Centre in Yenagoa.
The program targeted residents of the Opolo/Epie-Atissa host community development trust, its cluster and surrounding communities in Yenagoa Local Government Area.
One of the beneficiaries, Diepreye Ebimo, said she arrived at the health center unable to see clearly, with both eyes closed, but regained her sight after undergoing surgery during the outreach.
She expressed gratitude to the organizers for providing free medical care and giving residents access to treatment for various ailments.
The Vice President of Relations and Sustainable Development at Renaissance Africa Energy, Mr. Igo Weli, said the outreach demonstrated the company’s commitment to improving health outcomes in its host communities.
Weli, who was represented by the company’s General Manager of Government and Community Relations, Mr. Evans Krukrubo, described the initiative as another milestone in bringing quality healthcare closer to residents and strengthening the company’s partnership with Bayelsa.
He said the program was particularly significant given the company’s longstanding partnership with the state through various sustainable development initiatives.
The vice president said the company’s investments in healthcare, education, economic empowerment, infrastructure and capacity-building program reflected its commitment to improving lives in host communities.
Also Read: Olubadan makes generous land offer for healthcare
He added that the initiatives aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 3 on Good Health and Well-being, Goal 10 on Reduced Inequalities, and Goal 17 on Partnerships for the Goals.
According to him, Vision First Plus is one of the flagship programs under the company’s Health-in-Motion Initiative, which seeks to extend quality healthcare services beyond hospitals and directly into communities.
Weli said the program reflected the company’s belief that access to quality healthcare should not be limited to a privileged few.
The Bayelsa Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisebe, also commended Renaissance for partnering with the state government to improve residents’ access to healthcare.
Brisebe, represented by the Director of Public Health, Dr Ebikapaye Okoyen, said the outreach was designed to improve the health and well-being of residents in the Opolo/Epie-Atissa community.
Similarly, the Executive Secretary of the Bayelsa State Primary Health Care Board, Dr Williams Appah, praised the company for providing free medical services to residents of Opolo and neighboring communities.
The Paramount Ruler of Opolo Community, King Moneyman Ogborogbo, also lauded the intervention, noting that residents with various medical conditions were receiving treatment during the outreach.
However, he appealed for more healthcare workers at the community health center to meet the needs of the growing population.
Ogborogbo said Opolo had remained peaceful since oil was discovered in the area, adding that the community had never experienced conflict over oil-related activities and deserved improved healthcare services.
NAN
