A total of ninety communities in Edo, Delta and Ondo states are to benefit from the Seplat Energy PLC Eye care program in 2023.
Speaking at the weekend at the Seplat Energy PLC Eye Can See program in Benin City Edo State,Mrs Chioma Afe,Director External Affairs and Sustainability, Seplat Energy PLC, said that the ninety communities are to use thirteen designated centers across Edo, Delta and Ondo state.
She said the program which started since 2012, has screened over 96,000 patients , provided 45,000 persons with reading glasses. While 4218 have undergone surgical operation for the past four years.
She also said that 21 persons were operated on during the weekend.
“The Seplat/NNPC Exploration and Production JB “I can see” program is designed to ensure the provision of eye care,visual and surgical treatment among Seplat host communities in Edo and Delta State. Beyond the treatment,the company also provide lectures to ensure total wellbeing for the host community members who participate.
“Because,when our medical partners examine people from our host communities they found out that there some underlined issues,like diabetes and high blood pressure and those health issues are some time responsible for some of their eyes problems and we would like to take time and educate them.
“The program as you can see targets all ages and gender. The aim of the program is to deliver on the initial promise we made.We provide a platform for managing and referring patients living with high blood pressure and diabetes, because these are underlying illness that causes eye problems. We also provide free reading glasses and treat all other eye related problem. It is also meant to promote healthy lives.
“We start this program since 2012,it has been over a decade of impact,we have screened over 96,000 in our communities in Edo, Delta and Ondo state We have also given reading glasses to over 45,000 people . We have done surgery for 4218 patients for the past four years.
“We are happy that yesterday,we were able to operate on 21 patients successfully. We are still have another 35 schedule for surgeries by the grace of God. By this work,we have been doing in our host communities,we are able to impact lives.
“We will serve 90 communities, using 13 different centres in 2023. The program is set to run for one month in those communities.” She concluded.
Speaking,one of the beneficiaries,Clara Obakpolor, a 73years woman,who was among the 21 persons that were operated on at the Seplat “Eye Can See” program said, the battle for her sight began in 2021,when she was diagnosed of cataract,but lack of money stalled the surgery to remove it.
“I want to thank Seplat,the Oba of Benin and all the workers that made this possible for me.l was diagnosed of cataract in 2021,but because there is no money to do the operation. I have been indoors. But,I came here and they have done the operation for me free,I did not pay one naira.” She said.
