Frank Efe
The Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has lauded the efforts of Seplat Petroleum Development Company for its health programme tagged, ‘Eye Can See,’ a programmed aimed at rendering free health services to its host communities.
The governor said this in Sapele at the formal commencement of the second edition of Seplat’s Eye Can see programme.
Governor Uduaghan who was represented by Engr. Jude Sinebi said he is impressed by what Seplat is doing, noting that the oil company had shown that they have the interest of their host communities at heart.
He added that the ‘Eye Can See programme’ initiated by Seplat also shows that the company is living up to its corporate social responsibility, just as he urged the community to co-operate with Seplat and encourage them to do more.
Governor Uduaghan said the state government will do all it can to encourage Seplat, emphasizing that the healthcare programme of the oil company is in line with the state government’s human capital agenda.
Speaking on behalf of Seplat, Mr. Lucky Obiobi, Deputy Base Manager, Seplat, in his opening speech, said the company is interested in the health situation of the communities they are operating, adding that what they are doing is part of its social responsibility to the people.
He said health is very important in human capital development and that is why Seplat is trying to ensure that its host communities live a healthy lifestyle.
Mr. Obiobi said that apart from the free eye medical services they are rendering to the communities, Seplat has added hypertension and diabetics to this year’s programme to look at other critical health issues bothering the community.
He said that at the end of the programme, Seplat is hoping to conduct about 400 free eye surgeries to people in the various communities. He also said that not less than 5,000 free reading glasses will be given to the people.
On diabetics and hypertension, the President of Medical Women Association of Nigeria, (MWAN), Dr. (Mrs.) Umuerri Ejiroghene, said diabetics and hypertension are silent ailments that have killed many people in the country.
She said hypertension causes stroke, heart failure, brain damage, kidney failure and other ailment, just as she advised people to always go for regular medical check-up.
Dr. Umuerri said; “Hypertension has no symptoms. Before any symptom comes the disease has already eaten up your body. Hypertension causes stroke, heart failure, brain damage, kidney failure and it also affects your eye site. To prevent this disease avoid eating too much salt, eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and always eat a balanced diet.”
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