By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta 

The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Foundation on Wednesday flagged off free cataract screening and extraction surgeries for 1000 beneficiaries in South West geopolitical zone of Nigeria, in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Managing Director of NNPC Foundation, Mrs. Emmanuella Arukwe, said the purpose of the programme was to combat the widespread of vision impairment, caused by cataracts, a condition that has severely impacted many Nigerians.

The surgeries currently take place at the FMC Abeokuta, Likosi Health center, Mosimi, FMC Joga and FMC Ajebo, all in Ogun State.

Represented by Deputy Manager, Special Project, NNPC Foundation, Mrs. Teniola Abu, Mrs. Arukwe described cataracts as one of the leading causes of blindness globally, stressing that the World Health Organization data indicate that nearly 50% of blindness cases in Nigeria are caused by cataracts. 

She noted that the initiative was not merely a step forward; but a significant stride in its commitment to improving lives and enhancing the health of the communities.

“In underserved areas, such as many parts of the South-West, limited access to quality eye care exacerbates this challenge. This is more than a health issue—it is a social and economic crisis, as vision loss directly affects productivity, independence, and overall quality of life”.

She said, “the programme, which commenced in the Southwest, will expand to other geopolitical zones across the country in the coming months”. 

Highlighting the achievements of the foundation, Mrs. Arukwe said, “over the past 20 months, NNPC Foundation has spearheaded numerous healthcare initiatives, including, pilot eye screening and glaucoma treatment programme for over 290 individuals in Abuja, free cancer screenings and counselling sessions for approximately 3,440 people across the six geopolitical zones, a medical outreach in Garki village, Abuja, addressing non-communicable diseases and providing medical consumables to about 450 individuals”.

“At NNPC Foundation, we understand that vision is not merely a sense, but it is a fundamental enabler of human dignity and opportunity. This understanding is at the core of our initiative. Through this programme, we aim to provide free cataract screenings, surgeries, and public education on eye health”. 

“We anticipate restoring sight to up to 1,000 individuals in the Southwest. Beyond the numbers, this means transforming lives; helping breadwinners regain their livelihoods, empowering students to pursue their studies, and enabling individuals to experience the joys of life once again”.

She said, “healthcare and community development remain integral to our work. By addressing preventable blindness, we are not only transforming individual lives but also strengthen families and local economies”.

“NNPC Foundation will remain committed to promoting accessible, affordable, and sustainable healthcare across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones. Together, we can build a healthier, brighter future, one community at a time”.

Speaking with newsmen on the sideline of the event, the Consultant Coordinator, Dr. Anne Okorafor, noted that the surgical procedures will commence immediately after screening, saying that the exercise is part of the foundation’s social responsibility to the citizens.

“In Ogun State, we have screened over 600 individuals, and in Lagos, we have already screened over 100. We may surpass our initial projection of 1,000, with over 700 screened so far, and the screening process is ongoing.

“Surgical procedures have also commenced, with over 100 successful operations performed,” she added.

In his own address, the Medical Director (MD) of Federal Medical Center, Abeokuta, Professor Adewale Musa-Olomu urged the NNPC not to limit the medical outreach programme to cataract screenings and extraction surgeries alone, but extend it to cover other diseases like the cancer.

Meanwhile, the Head of Department, Opthamology at FMC, Dr. Peter Abikoye, advised patients to always check with the facility to prevent blindness, saying that early detection is key to cure

“Cataract is not a curse, it comes with age. It is a natural phenomenon that can however cause total blindness, making this initiative a vital lifeline for those affected”, he said.