By Emem Idio

Over 5,000 rural dwellers in host communities within OML 28, Bayelsa State, have benefited from a seven-day Vision First Plus community eye care and free medical outreach programme organised in collaboration with the Bayelsa State Ministry of Health and the Eye Sight Foundation.

The initiative, targeting communities under the Gbaran/Ekpetiama and Kolokuma/Opokuma Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT) clusters, was flagged off at Ofonibiri Primary Health Care Centre in Opokuma, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Igo Weli, Vice President, Relations and Sustainable Development at Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, described the outreach as a key component of the company’s “Health in Motion” initiative.

“This is a seven-day community-focused initiative that provides comprehensive eye care services to the people of the communities that house our projects,” Weli said. “Vision stands out as both essential and often overlooked. Our goal is not only to prevent avoidable blindness, but to preserve the dignity, confidence and independence that come with the gift of clear vision.”

He highlighted global statistics showing 2.2 billion people live with visual impairment, with nearly half of cases preventable or treatable. In Nigeria, approximately 24 million are affected, many due to cataracts and uncorrected refractive errors. Weli noted that over 30,000 screenings under Health in Motion in the last five years revealed more than 60% of participants had visual disorders, while over 20,000 people in the Niger Delta have benefited from Vision First programmes.

Bayelsa State Commissioner for Health, Professor Seiyefa Brisibe, represented by Permanent Secretary Dr. Jones Stow, commended the outreach and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to strengthening primary healthcare.

“Early screening saves lives, prevention reduces cost, treatment improves longevity and productivity,” Brisibe said.

The programme, covering communities in Yenagoa and Kolokuma/Opokuma LGAs, provides eye screenings, consultations, medications, and general medical services, promoting health equity and preventive care in oil-bearing communities.