Nearly 3,000 residents of Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State have benefited from a five-day free healthcare outreach organised under the Vision First initiative of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo).
The outreach provided residents with access to eye care, cataract surgeries, spectacles and other medical services, with organisers saying the programme was designed to improve access to healthcare for underserved communities.
2,297 people received medical attention
According to figures released by the organisers, 2,297 people were attended to by the medical team during the outreach.
Of that number, 1,458 people received eye-care services, while 154 cataract surgeries were performed. A total of 878 pairs of spectacles were also distributed to beneficiaries.
The medical team additionally carried out more than 200 general surgeries, alongside other healthcare services provided during the five-day programme.
On the first day alone, 38 patients underwent surgeries that restored their sight, according to reports from the organisers.
Residents turn out for free treatment
The outreach attracted residents from different parts of Badagry, with reports indicating that people arrived early to access the available services.
Some beneficiaries who received treatment expressed appreciation for the intervention, particularly those whose vision was restored following surgery.
For people living with untreated cataracts and other correctable eye conditions, access to free surgery and spectacles can make a significant difference in their ability to work, study and carry out everyday activities.
Programme offers more than eye care
Although eye health was a major focus of the initiative, the Vision First programme also provided other medical services.
These included cardiovascular screening, consultations, treatment for mild and chronic illnesses, laboratory services and pharmaceutical services.
Insecticide-treated nets were also distributed as part of the broader health intervention.
The programme was implemented in collaboration with the Kolmarg Eyesight Foundation, an organisation focused on providing comprehensive eye care to underserved communities in sub-Saharan Africa.
Sixth edition of Vision First initiative
The Badagry outreach marked the sixth edition of the Vision First initiative, which was launched in 2022.
According to the organisers, the programme has reached more than 10,000 people through its various outreaches since its inception.
The initiative has also expanded beyond Lagos. Its first outreach outside the state was held in Asaba, Delta State, where nearly 2,000 people reportedly received healthcare services.
Focus on preventing avoidable vision problems
Eye-health experts have repeatedly highlighted the importance of early detection and treatment of conditions that can lead to avoidable vision loss.
Cataracts, for example, can cause significant visual impairment but are generally treatable through surgery. Access to affordable or free treatment can therefore help people regain functional vision and improve their quality of life.
The Badagry outreach provided an opportunity for residents who might otherwise struggle to afford eye examinations, spectacles or surgery to receive treatment.
Health outreach targets underserved communities
Speaking on the initiative, SNEPCo Managing Director Ronald Adams said the company’s support for community health programmes was part of its broader commitment to improving the wellbeing of communities.
The outreach reflects growing efforts by organisations and government agencies to take healthcare services directly to communities where access to specialist medical care may be limited.
For Badagry residents who benefited from the programme, the intervention provided not only medical treatment but also an opportunity to address health conditions that may have affected their ability to work and participate fully in everyday life.
The organisers said the Vision First programme would continue to focus on improving access to healthcare and addressing preventable health challenges in underserved communities.
