By Melvin Onwubuke
Eleven host communities in Bayelsa State were provided with health care services by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and First Exploration and Energy Development Company Limited Joint Venture.
The free healthcare, which was part of the corporate social responsibility of the NNPC/First E&P OML 83 and 85 Joint Venture, reached over 3,400 residents in Koluama 1, Koluama 2, Ekeni, Fishtown, Foropa, Ezetu 1, Ezetu 2, Sangana, Oginibiri, Okumbiri, and Okumbiribeleu.
The five days programme, which ended on 28 February, included free health checks, laboratory tests, treatments, eye care, dental care and distribution of mosquito nets, according to a statement from First E&P on Wednesday.
The Head of Social Performance, First E&P, Ayebatonye Basuo, stated that the initiative was implemented following a needs assessment carried out in the host communities.
According to Basuo, the outreach in agreement with First E&P’s commitment to deliver high-impact social performance initiatives targeted at creating a better, sustainable future for our host communities, particularly, those without hospitals.
In addition, the Chief Investment Officer of NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services, Bala Wunti, pointed out that the initiative aimed at providing quality health care to the host communities.
The intervention, he said, would help to prevent and reduce the occurrence of malaria, dental problems as well as permanent vision loss by providing early diagnosis, free reading glasses and equipment for any related disease.
