Renaissance’s Outreach Benefits 5000 Persons Amid 2.2bn Global Visual Impairments
Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa
With global data revealing that 2.2 billion individuals worldwide are living with visual impairments, with almost half of these cases being preventable or treatable, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, has organised a seven-day eye care and medical outreach benefiting around 5,000 rural residents in Bayelsa.
At the ‘Vision First’ programme, Mr. Igo Weli, the Vice President of Relations and Sustainable Development, shared that in Nigeria alone, 24 million people are affected by visual impairments, largely due to cataracts and uncorrected refractive errors.
He said insights from over 30,000 screenings conducted by Health In Motion in the past five years indicated that more than 60 per cent of individuals screened had visual disorders.
As part of their commitment to community welfare, the company and its partners organised a seven-day community eye care and medical outreach programme, benefiting around 5,000 rural residents in Kolokuma/Opokuma and Okordia/Zarama Communities.
This initiative, in collaboration with the Bayelsa Ministry of Health, eye care foundation, NNPC Limited, Total Energies, and AENR, it said, offers a range of accessible and high-quality healthcare services.
At the opening ceremony which was launched in Ofonibiri Community in Bayelsa State, Weli emphasised that the programme aims to enhance healthcare services for underserved populations, reflecting the company’s commitment to preventive healthcare and improving access to quality services.
He highlighted the support of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited and their partners in this initiative, emphasising the importance of community-focused healthcare services.
The Vision First Plus programme, a key component of the Health In Motion initiative, aims to provide comprehensive eye care services to communities where the company operates, recognising the impact of clear vision on various aspects of life.
Beyond eye care, the outreach programme includes cancer screenings, dental surgeries, cardiovascular screenings, general medical consultations, and other healthcare services, promoting a holistic approach to community health.
“Here in the Niger Delta alone, over 20,000 people have benefited from Vision First programmes. Behind every statistic is a life transformed. While eye care is the anchor of this mission, today’s outreach extends beyond vision.
“Community members will receive cancer care support through prostate, breast, and cervical cancer screenings (including cryotherapy and mammography) dental surgeries, cardiovascular screenings, general medical medical consultations, treatment for mild chronic conditions, laboratory services, pharmaceutical care, deworming for children, and insecticide-treated nets for malaria prevention, reflecting our belief in a holistic approach to community health.
“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 said.
Weli encouraged active participation in the programme, emphasising the significance of preventive care in safeguarding health and well-being.
In his remarks, the Health Commissioner in Bayelsa State, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, commended the initiative and urged beneficiaries to take advantage of the services offered, emphasising the importance of early screenings and preventive measures in healthcare.
He acknowledged the dedication of healthcare professionals and volunteers, stressing the importance of maintaining high clinical and ethical standards in service delivery.
As the state continues to enhance primary healthcare services, he said that the focus remains on improving outcomes and transforming lives through accessible and quality healthcare services.
