The NNPC Limited/FIRST E and P Joint Venture (JV) has concluded the fourth medical and health outreach in Bayelsa State, bringing essential healthcare services closer to residents across its 11 KEFFESO host communities of Koluama 1, Koluama 2, Ezetu 1, Ezetu 2, Foropa, Fish Town, Ekeni, Sangana, Opu Okumbiri, Okumbiribeleu, and Oginibiri.
The outreach, which began on September 21, provided free medical consultations, laboratory testing, eye and dental screenings, eye surgery, among others.
It was organised, in partnership with the KEFFESO Host Communities Development Trust (KHCDT) and supported by a team of doctors and other health practitioners.
Individuals identified during the outreach as requiring surgery for treatable eye conditions were enrolled in a dedicated eye surgery programme at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa. They will be funded.
Acting Chief Upstream Investment Officer, NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Olanrewaju Igandan, represented by Advisor, Community Relations, Isaiah Ali, explained that the sustenance of this initiative to date clearly indicates the commitment of NNPC Limited and its partners to the well-being of the communities within its area of operation.
‘Healthcare is an important part of this responsibility because healthy communities are better positioned to participate in education, economic activities and other aspects of community development. Medical outreaches are an important part of our collective efforts to improve access to healthcare within our producing communities.
They provide an opportunity to bring essential medical services closer to our people, promote early detection of health conditions and strengthen awareness of healthy practices,’ Igandan said.
Speaking on the initiative, the Executive Director, Corporate Services, FIRST E and P, Emmanuel Etomi, represented by the Head of Social Performance, FIRST E and P, Ayebatonye Benjamin-Basuo, said that the outreach forms part of the company’s broader commitment to improving the well-being of its host communities through sustained investments in healthcare, education and economic empowerment.
Etomi explained that the KEFFESO Medical Outreach, which has reached more than 10,000 people across 11 communities over the past four years, provides a vital avenue for residents of remote communities to access quality healthcare services. Through the initiative, beneficiaries receive preventive care, early diagnosis and treatment, helping to overcome barriers such as distance, transportation challenges, limited access to medical personnel and the high cost of specialist care, which can often delay or prevent timely medical attention.
In his address, the Director of Services, Ministry of Health, Bayelsa State, Dr. Ngowari Torunana, lauded the residents of the various communities for their peaceful co-existence with the company, noting that the Bayelsa State government remains committed to partnering with other stakeholders in delivering medical services to residents of those communities.
Also speaking on behalf of the Chairman, KHCDT, His Royal Highness, Theophilus Moses, its Vice Chairman, Dr. Henry Amaegberi, commended FIRST E and P for living true to its mandate by ensuring the well-being of its host communities and urged residents take advantage of the unique opportunity of free medical care provided by the joint venture partners.
Sharing her experience as a beneficiary of the KEFFESO outreach, Mrs. Christiana Ebiye expressed appreciation to FIRST E and P, noting that the programme provided an opportunity to access medical attention that might otherwise have been toodifficult or costly to obtain.