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From Tony Osauzo, Benin
The NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL)/Seplat Energy Joint Venture (JV) have partnered the Edo Specialist Hospital (ESH) for a special edition of its signature healthcentric corporate social investment (CSI) initiative, ‘Eye Can See’.
The three-day event hosted at the ESH premises, Benin City, witnessed a massive turnout with thousands of eye screenings and eye surgeries carried out and hundreds of eyeglasses given out free of charge to members of the public. It also featured basic health checks and dental care, with the NEPL/Seplat Energy JV providing consumables and the ESH backing with personnel and infrastructure.
Seplat Energy’s unwavering commitment to the ‘Eye Can See’ programme has continued to make a meaningful impact across Edo and Delta States, demonstrating the company’s dedication to improving access to quality eye care services, restoring sight, and enhancing the overall well-being of individuals and communities through sustainable healthcare interventions.
Speaking at the event, the Director, External Affairs & Social Performance, Seplat Energy, Chioma Afe, said the initiative is improving access to eye care services and promoting better vision health for communities across Edo and Delta states.
While highlighting the programme’s achievements, community outreach efforts, and Seplat Energy’s continued commitment to enhancing healthcare outcomes and supporting sustainable development in the region, she said the dividends of the health intervention programme cannot be overemphasized.
On the occasion, the Chief Medical Director of ESH Hospital, Dr. Antonia Inibukun-Njoku, lauded the partnership between the JV and the hospital, describing it as a significant collaboration expanding access to quality healthcare and bringing life-changing medical services closer to communities in Edo State.
She stated that the partnership marks a new chapter in the delivery of the long-running ‘Eye Can See’ initiative, as it brought together the resources of the NEPL/Seplat Energy JV and the specialist expertise of the hospital to provide comprehensive medicare to hundreds of beneficiaries.
“This year’s programme is unique because it is being hosted in collaboration with Edo Specialist Hospital. The ‘Eye Can See’ initiative has been implemented in Edo for several years, but this is the first time we are partnering in this way, and we are delighted to be part of it,” Dr. Inibukun-Njoku said.
She explained that the collaboration goes beyond eye care with beneficiaries receiving access to a broad range of medical and surgical services.
The CMD expressed gratitude to the NEPL/Seplat JV for partnering with the ESH, noting that the collaboration would play a vital role in addressing healthcare gaps and improving health outcomes across communities.
“We appreciate Seplat Energy JV for choosing to work with Edo Specialist Hospital and for remaining committed to initiatives that improve people’s lives. Collaborations like this strengthen healthcare delivery and enable more people to benefit from quality medical services. We hope to see this partnership continue to grow and impact even more lives,”she added.
Many of the beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the opportunity to access free healthcare and the restoration of their ailing sights. Among those who expressed gratitude for the ‘Eye Can See’ initiative were Victoria Okoduwa, Stanley Eromonsele, Lovet Okhueliegbe, and John Kassia.
Okoduwa lauded the process saying, “It has been s efforts to make quality health services available to all.
“I applaud the Seplat JV for bringing this initiative to Edo State. I have been through the process and it is quite commendable. I can attest as a beneficiary that this initiative has helped in taking healthcare closer to the people and at no cost to the members of the public,” he an amazing experience. I just had my eyes checked and received some medication. I want to say thank you to the Seplat JV for providing everything.”
On her part, Okhueliegbe described the professional care as perfect and thanked Seplat Energy. “They check your vitals. You then go to the specialists – ophthalmologists, who take care to explain before deciding if you need glasses, eye drops or surgery. They even served us snacks,” she said.
The Edo State Government, represented by the Special Adviser to Governor Monday Okpebholo on Health, Dr. Andrew Iyamu, who also benefited from the programme, commended the JV for what he described as an excellent initiative that supports the state government’said.
The ongoing outreach is providing free eye screening, consultations, medical treatment, surgeries and other healthcare services, reinforcing the value of strategic partnerships in expanding access to quality healthcare and improving the wellbeing of communities across Edo State.
