The NNPC Foundation has confirmed about 200 cases of cataract patients, two days after the commencement of the 1,000 free cataract extraction surgeries in Ogun State.
Over 150 patients were screened on the first day (Monday) of the exercise and 90 of them were confirmed for surgery.
This was disclosed by Dr Anne Okorafor Amugo, MD/CEO, TRICHORD Medicals and Investments Ltd and Consultants of the project on behalf of NNPC Foundation.
Dr Amugo stated in a short statement on Wednesday that the NNPC Foundation have had two days of a highly successful screening exercise in the state.
She said the response by the people to the screening exercise has been very impressive, adding males and females of all ages and even young children who were born blind have been identified.
Dr Amugo also disclosed that there were high chances of the identified individuals having their sights restored.
The consultant to the NNPC Foundation stated: “Wao! We have had two days of highly successful screening exercise.
“The response has been very impressive and we have confirmed almost two hundred (200) cases for surgery.
“Men, women, boys and girls of all ages will benefit, even young children born blind (congenital cataracts) have been identified. The prospects of restoring vision to these individuals is very exciting.”
Recall that the NNPC Foundation, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), had on Monday, commenced the free cataract surgeries in the state.
The free cataract extraction surgeries, which started from 16th December, would run through 21st December, 2024 at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, the state capital.
It will also take place simultaneously from 19th to 22nd December, 2024 at the Likosi Health Centre, Mosimi to take care of patients from the Ijebu, Sagamu, Simawa, Ogijo and Ikorodu axis.
The free cataract extraction surgeries will, after the Christmas and New Year celebrations, resume from 6th to 12 January, 2025.
On resumption, the free extraction surgeries will return to the FMC, Abeokuta; Likosi Health Centre, Mosimi; FMC Ijoga; and FMC Ajebo.
Patients from the Ajebo, Ogunmakin and Ibadan axis are expected to be attended to at the resumption of the free cataract extraction surgeries.
With the theme, “Blindness Can Be Avoided”, NNPC Foundation urged the people, especially those with cataract to take an advantage of the programme and get screened.
NNPC Foundation is the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of the NNPCL with its initiatives focused on enhancing the socio-economic development of Nigeria.
It has targeted interventions in education, health, environment, access to energy and youth empowerment to foster economic empowerment, promote entrepreneurship and support sustainable development across the country.
