TOTALEnergies Kicks Off Free Medical Health for OML 58 Communities … Amidst Testimonies From Beneficiaries

“Our commitment to this project goes beyond coming to do medical help. It’s part of our social corporate responsibilities in fulfilling the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No3, which ensures that people have good health and good wellbeing for all ages of people”. Deputy Managing Director,  JV Asset, TOTALEnergies EP Nigeria Limited, Engr. Guillaume Dulout stated this during the opening ceremony of his company’s Mass Free Health pregramne at Erema General Hospital  in Ogba/Egbena/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, Wednesday, 17th November, 2021. The DMD said beyond that also, as part of his company’s social corporate responsibilities, they would continue to partner with Communities in several areas, adding that health is important, as infrastructure is meant for human beings. He said if there are no people to enjoy the infrastructure it has no value. Engr. Dulout, who was represented by the Manager Community Relations Offshores & PHC, Dr. Nnamdi Ahiamadu, recalled that the Mass Free Health Programne could not hold last year as a result of the global pandemic, hence they have to restart it so that people can assess the programme and have time to be treated. “Since the beginning of the Programne, people have been diagnosed, treated and managed up to the minor surgeries they can handle. “From the statistics I have heard from the facilitator, it is already something of joy that in two days we have this number of people that have diagnosed, treated and surgeries conducted. I am pleased to hear such statistics, and even at this point, this project is a success”, he said. According to him, the intervention is to help people live better life to enjoy other facilities we provide as form of infrastructure and otherwise, assuring that it’s something they would continue to provide with joy as they do today and before.  The DMD noted that there are two hospitals in Egi; the Erema General Hospital and Egi Cottage Hospital in Obagi, promising to reactivate them to make them full functionality. Engr. Guillaume Dulout added that beyond that, his organization has identified E-Health Centres at Akabuka, and Ogbogu, saying that there is one they are about to complete at Akabuka. “These Health Centres, we will give them maximum support to function optimally, so that when we do this type of intervention people are still able to assess medical facilities where they can be treated or follow up from the activities of this programme”, he said. He appealed for peace, security, and work free environment to be able to deliver programmes. ” So, we still appeal to everyone of us that we should embrace peace, and embrace good neighborliness with the company and amongst ourselves, in such environment development is possible. We are capable of developing our programmes like we are here today”, he assured. While thanking all for making time for the programme, the DMD advised those coming to assess the facility to be orderly as they would all be attended to. In his address, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Golden Iwoh,  expressed happiness, and commended TOTALEnergies for providing the free healthcare, as it has gone a long way in creating the awareness that the hospital has been reopened. Dr. Iwoh also expressed thanks and appreciation that water has been restored in the hospital, believing that with the programme the hospital Will begin to function properly, as people will need a follow up. He appealed for accommodation to enable medical personnel come and settle there. He further praised the company on how they have taken care of the hospital in the past, and urged those that have come for the medical Programne to be patience, comport themselves properly and cooperate with those providing the services. Speaking on behalf of the Facilitator, Dr. Akubuike Okara thanked TOTALENERGIES for their numerous engagements in OML58, stressing this year’s Mass Free Health Programne is planned for ten days of uninterrupted healthcare services. “We partner with Institute of Human Virology of Nigeria (IHVN), and I KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation to provide mass HIV and Tuberculosis screening of the participants. Those found positive will be immediately for free treatment by these partners”. According to him, we envisage the huge positive impact of this year’s programme on the health and economy the beneficiaries and their families, especially those who will benefit from reading glass dispensing, surgery, healthcare counseling and referral. “In the past two and half days of this 2021 Mass Free Health Programme, F-DUOS Medical team has attended to 824 people. About 72 patients have been identified for surgery while 35 of them have already been operated on. Over 250 patients have eye screening for reading glasses and 94 eye patients given medications for various eye conditions. It is therefore projected that by the end of this mission. over 8,000 people would have been treated by the medical team”, he said. The CMD pointed out that the attendance of the programme is widespread with people coming from Imo,  Abia, Delta, Edo and Bayelsa States, and most LGAs of Rivers State. He appreciated the management, and staff of General Hospital Erema or the enomous co-operation they gave to them in cause of the programme, also to the Rivers State Hospitals Management Board for giving them the approval to use the facilities of the hospital. A representative of the president of Egi People’s Assembly (EPA), Dr. UmahEze, expressed delight on the programme, and wished it be decentralized to other zones in Egi land. “Whether major or minor operations carried out in to Programme, if you know the cost of operations in the hospitals, you will know that TOTALENERGIES have actually done good for our people outside other things that they have done. This programme needs regular visitation and not to abandon it, as health needs to be servici from time to time. For those who have undergone this operation, there should be need for a follow up, once there is no follow up the whole thing will be messed,” he said. The EPA representative thanked all sons and daughters of Egi, as well as others who came to embrace the programme.  He also extend his appreciation to TOTALENERGIES for providing the Programme and wished them the best. Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to Journalist commended the company for their magnanimity in providing the free health facility at this period, as it’s timely. Mr. Ojo Godstime said he had hynnia for 5 years and had no means of getting it operated, but thanked God that with TOTALENERGIES Mass Free Health Programne, has been able to be operated. For Mr. Angel Nwanne, it was God’s mercy upon his life and that of his family that TOTALENERGIES EP Nigeria Limited should organize the free medical outreach. According to him, my two children, aged 10, and 3, had hynnia for years and all efforts to get them operated failed for lack of money. But, God has done it for through this lofty initiative of TOTALEnergies Mass Free Health Programme. I am now happy because I have been relieved of this burden, hence I wholeheartedly thank TOTALENERGIES, and pray that God should continue to bless the company in all its endeavors.