Blindness remains a significant global health challenge affecting millions of individuals worldwide. In the face of this daunting issue, Seplat Energy has taken up the mantle and is actively working to reduce the prevalence of blindness, while ensuring a brighter future for those affected by visual impairments.
In 2012, Seplat Energy made a resolute decision to join the battle against blindness, particularly in the Niger Delta region, by introducing the Seplat JV Eye Can See Programme (under a Joint Venture between Seplat Energy and NNPC E&P Limited). This initiative has been instrumental in providing essential eye care services, raising awareness, promoting accessibility and implementing prevention strategies to combat visual impairments.The ‘Eye Can See’ is a health focused community engagement initiative which focuses on bringing free, qualitative and comprehensive eye care to members of its host communities.
The meaning of ‘Eye Can See’ can be said to be a way of making sure that the eyes carry out their functions which are known as seeing/vision, clarity. The initiative has seen the provision of free eye medical services and care. As we all know, detecting and treating eye conditions promptly can have a positive impact on an individual’s general well-being.Since its inception, the Seplat JV Eye Can See Programme has made a substantial impact on the lives of thousands of individuals.
With a focus on prioritizing awareness, accessibility, and prevention, the program has successfully treated 96,211 people, offering them the necessary care and support to address their visual impairments.One crucial aspect of the programme is its emphasis on creating awareness about the causes, consequences, and prevention of blindness. By organizing public education campaigns, Seplat Energy strives to educate communities about the importance of regular eye check-ups, early detection of eye diseases, and maintaining good eye health. By enhancing awareness, the programme ensures that individuals are well-informed and empowered to seek timely interventions and access appropriate eye care services. Accessibility is another key area of focus for Seplat Energy. The programme recognizes the challenges faced by underserved communities, especially in remote areas, and works tirelessly to make eye care services more accessible to those who may have limited resources or face geographical barriers. Through strategic partnerships with local healthcare organizations and the establishment of eye care centres in remote areas, Seplat Energy is bridging the accessibility gap, reaching the most vulnerable populations and providing them with the necessary care they need.
Prevention is at the heart of Seplat Energy’s approach to combating blindness. The programme places a strong emphasis on early detection and intervention, employing preventive measures that can significantly reduce the incidence of blindness.
By conducting community screenings and eye examinations, Seplat Energy identifies individuals at risk of developing eye diseases and offers them appropriate treatment, including eyeglasses and medications. For those requiring surgical interventions, the programme organizes and supports eye surgeries, effectively restoring vision and improving the overall quality of life for those affected.
Since its inception, the impact of the Seplat JV Eye Can See Programme is evident in the numbers: 45,074 reading glasses have been dispensed, empowering individuals to overcome visual challenges and actively participate in their personal and professional lives. Additionally, 4,218 eye surgeries have been successfully performed, enabling those in need to regain their sight and experience a renewed sense of hope and independence.
In all, a total of 96,211 persons have been screened since the takeoff of the programme. No doubt, thousands of lives have been touched thus far. Seplat Energy’s commitment to addressing the global challenge of blindness goes beyond immediate care. The programme recognizes the importance of long-term sustainability and is actively involved in capacity building and training programmes.
By training local healthcare professionals and community workers, Seplat Energy aims to create a sustainable ecosystem of eye care services, ensuring that the impact of their efforts continues to benefit communities for years to come.The Seplat JV Eye Can See Programme stands as a testament to the company’s dedication to reducing the prevalence of blindness and improving the lives of individuals affected by visual impairments. Through its comprehensive approach, the programme addresses the core issues of awareness, accessibility, and prevention, ensuring that individuals receive the necessary care, support, and education to overcome visual challenges. Seplat Energy’s efforts are making a great deal of difference in the fight against blindness, offering hope and a brighter future to Nigerians.In separate interviews, some beneficiaries of the programme and other stakeholders, spoke to the impacts of the Eye Can See initiative and how it has changed their lives tremendously.
For Rev. Mrs. Elizabeth Emuobor, who had a surgery in one of her eyes when Seplat Energy deployed the Eye Can See programme at Ugboren community in Delta State in 2018, the intervention brought hope to her situation. She said the surgery done on one of her eyes due to a cataract disease, happened after she had visited many hospitals, which had demanded for payments before the treatment could happen.
She said: “Seplat’s intervention was a great help for me. I had visited several hospitals and I was told to make payments. Seplat really did well by coming to my aid. The surgery was done on me without any payment. They restored by sight free of charge.
“If other companies are acting the way Seplat does, the country will be better for it; people will be happy. At 80, I am still strong and going to market. I would have been blind today if not for Seplat’s intervention.” Another beneficiary, Benson Eberuwenvwi, said in 2020, a surgery was done on one of his eyes during the Seplat Eye Can See programme. “I couldn’t see with it then. Now, I can see clearly with it. I go about my business; I am so happy and grateful to Seplat Energy,” Benson said.
Chiagozie Nelson, an 11-year-old beneficiary, who had cataract in both eyes, said since last year when the surgery was performed on his eyes, he has been seeing properly.
Nelson said: “Before I had to touch things to properly identify what they are. I couldn’t see clearly in class. I couldn’t walk alone. I couldn’t walk under the sun. But now, I can see, I can play and I can do everything.
“I perform better in class now. I can only thank Seplat for the surgery and bringing my sight back.”
Mr. Linus Mba (A Consultant Refereeing for Nigeria Football Federation and FIFA Technical Adviser – Refereeing) is another beneficiary. He had surgery on his left and right eyes in 2014 and 2017 respectively under the Seplat Eye Can See programme.
Mba said: “My coming to Sapele Delta State for the surgery changed my life for good. I was finding it very difficult to see before the surgery. The timely intervention of Seplat saved me. I could have really had difficulties living. I am still very active as at today. I still publish a magazine on football refereeing.
“I can only appreciate Seplat for making it possible for me to still see my eyes. May God continue to bless the company and all its people.”
Mr. Bassey Etim Bassey, a petroleum engineer with the NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (NEPL), partners in the Seplat Joint Venture, described the Eye Can See programme as a very impactful programme that has tremendously touched many lives. According to him, the impacts of the programme are immediate and long-term.
“The programme gives hope to people in our communities; you see the joy and glow on people’s faces. It’s so heart-warming and fulfilling. This is one of the best CSR programmes for us. NEPL will always support this programme,” he assured.
The Director, External Affairs and Sustainability, Chioma Afe, describes the Eye Can See as a flagship programme of Seplat Energy in its quest to bringing smiles on the faces of the people in its host communities. She said the programme is targeted at men, women and children with various eye problems, explaining that Seplat Energy intends to provide free optical treatment at all levels to members of the communities, prevent and reduce cases of permanent loss of vision, provide free reading glasses and treat other related eye problems, educate patients on ways to care for their eyes and how to detect cataract, glaucoma, etc educate patients on lifestyle change to reduce the rates of hypertension and diabetes.
Seplat, a renowned company known for its commitment to life-changing corporate social responsibility programmes in the areas of health, education and entrepreneurship development, among others, remains dedicated to this cause and continues to make a significant impact on the lives of those affected by visual impairment.The positive outcomes and transformative effects the programme had had on the lives of many Nigerians (directly and indirectly) have generated anticipation for the upcoming 2023 edition of the programme.
Credit: Daily Sun