By Nathan Nwakamma

The Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Foundation has begun free cataract treatments for no fewer than 1,000 residents of Bayelsa.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the foundation has earlier carried out a screening exercise during which people were diagnosed with cataract and profiled for treatment.

The free surgery is taking place at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa and the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri.

Mrs Emmanuela Arukwe, the Managing Director, NNPC Foundation, said that the intervention was the foundation’s way of supporting people with visual challenges.

Represented by the Manager, Healthcare Programme, Jude Ayalogu, Arukwe said that the exercise was a nationwide programme targeted to treat 6,000 cataract patients across the six geo-political zones.

She said that WHO reports had shown that cataract remained one of the leading causes of blindness globally.

“According to WHO, nearly 50 per cent of blindness cases in Nigeria are caused by cataracts.

“In rural and underserved areas, limited access to quality eye care exacerbates this challenge, many individuals live with avoidable blindness.

“Visual challenge is not only a health issue, it is a social and economic crisis. Loss of vision negatively impacts on productivity, independence, and overall quality of life.

“At NNPC Foundation, we recognise that sight is more than just a sense, it is a fundamental pillar for human dignity and opportunity.

“This is the understanding that forms the foundation for our outreach programmes,” he said.

In his remarks, Dr James Omietimi, the Chief Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, stated that cataract was a leading cause of reversible blindness, prevalent among the aged.

Omietimi urged members of the public to take advantage of the opportunity provided by NNPC Foundation to access free cataract screening and extraction.

Omietimi commended the foundation for the gesture, describing it as a huge relief to many families.

“Surgery for the cataract at public hospitals costs between N100,000 and N150,000 while private health centres charge more than N300,000,” he said.

Prof. Seiyefa Brisine, the Bayelsa Commissioner for Health, described the gesture as a good omen to the health of the citizenry.

He urged other stakeholders to borrow a leaf from the NNPCL Foundation by organising similar health intervention programmes.

One of the beneficiaries, Mr Highness Opokuni, a 60-year-old man, said he had suffered cataract for two years, and that the condition had affected him emotionally and economically.

He thanked the foundation for the gesture, describing it as a lifeline for families that cannot afford the cost of cataract surgery. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Azubuike Okeh

By Franca Ofili

The Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) and the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to combat malaria and strengthen diagnostic capacity.

The Registrar of the council, Prof. Tosan Erhabor, made this known in Abuja on Monday when the two bodies signed the accord.

He said that the MoU signified a major step forward in the shared mission to combat malaria and strengthen diagnostic capacity across the country.

He added that “today, we are not just signing a document, we are formalising a partnership that speaks to the very heart of public health — collaboration, innovation, and capacity building.

“This MoU provides the framework for establishing a Training Laboratory for Malaria Microscopy at the MLSCN Public Health Laboratory in Abuja, using forty-two (42) state-of-the-art teaching microscopes generously provided by NMEP under the Global Fund Grant Cycle 7 (GC-7).

“This initiative is a testament to what can be achieved when institutions align their strengths.

“While NMEP brings national coordination, resources and focus on malaria elimination, MLSCN will provide regulatory oversight, technical expertise and commitment to maintaining high standards in laboratory diagnostics.”

The registrar said that together, the two bodies would lay the groundwork for sustainable training platform that would empower laboratory scientists with the skills needed for accurate malaria diagnosis.

“As we sign this agreement, I wish to assure you that MLSCN is fully committed to upholding responsibilities under this MoU,” he added.

In her speech, Mrs Nnenna Ogrulafor, the National Coordinator of NMEP, said
malaria remained one of the leading public health challenges in Nigeria.

Ogrulafor said that malaria is not only the source of increase in morbidity and mortality in the country, but also hindering economic progress and development.

According to her, recent rates, particularly in vulnerability statistics, reveal that the country is still grappling with high prevalence rates, especially among children and pregnant women.

“It is, therefore, imperative that we strengthen our capacities, enhance diagnostic capabilities and later innovation in our approach to malaria prevention.

“The establishment of a dedicated malaria training laboratory is part of our intervention strategies.

“The laboratory will serve as a hub for training for the private and public sector and research toward equipping healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to implement effective malaria diagnostic methodologies.

“By investing in human capital and technical expertise, we are laying the groundwork for sustainable malaria elimination efforts,” she stressed.

According to her, the partnership will facilitate the development of standardised laboratory protocols, promote quality assurance in malaria diagnostics and enhance overall reliability of laboratory services. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

By Philip Yatai

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says it has taken steps toward reducing indices of maternal and child mortality in the territory.

Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, the Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, FCTA, stated this during the inauguration of the Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiatives (MAMII) programme in Abuja on Monday.

The inauguration of the MAMII programme was part of activities to commemorate the 2025 World Health Day, with the theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures.”

Fasawe, who said that maternal and child mortality are majorly due to complications at childbirth, said that the FCT Administration introduced health insurance cover for pregnant women and their newborn to curb mortality.

This, she said, was in line with the administration’s zero tolerance to maternal and infant mortality.

She added that there were also specific programmes that the Federal Government had put in place toward addressing not only the health of the populace, but also for pregnant women and newborn.

According to her, the measure will ensure timely and proper healthcare for pregnant mothers and newborn.

She said “it is a policy of this administration that when a woman has health insurance, her pregnancy and delivery would be covered by the insurance policy.

“In addition, the baby, when delivered, is entitled to a health insurance cover in the first year of his/her life.

“In simple English, delivery is free, and childcare is free.”

She said that the FCTA had set up a health insurance desk in all its facilities and urged pregnant women to register to access free health services.

Fasawe added that the MAMII programme was also organised to educate pregnant women on what President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda has put in place to reduce maternal and newborn mortality.

She explained that the 2025 theme means a new and bright beginning for pregnant women and a hopeful future for the kids they would give birth to.

Dr Dayo Adeyanju, the National Coordinator of the MAMII programme, said all pregnancies must be well taken care of to achieve healthy beginning under the programme.

Adeyanju added that children must live beyond five years to ensure a hopeful future.

He said, “President Bola Tinubu has directed the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, to ensure every pregnancy translates to a healthy baby.”

According to him, there is no reason why pregnancy should be a death sentence.

He explained that the MAMII programme is to counter delays that lead to maternal death, either delay in seeking healthcare or delay in receiving healthcare, including reaching healthcare facility.

He explained that part of the strategy was to mobilise women from communities to visit health facilities and ensure they have good transportation.

The coordinator added that caesarean services would also be accessed free at tertiary facilities, which would be extended to general hospitals.

“We are also ensuring that primary and secondary facilities are revitalised to deliver pregnant women safely.

“An accord was signed by the federal, state and local governments. We are all working together to ensure that no woman loses her life while bringing another life.

“We are also leveraging President Tinubu’s political will to ensure that every pregnancy is safe and every child lives beyond the age of five.”

Adeyanju said that the programme would be extended to all parts of the country.

For sustainability, he said every pregnant woman enlisted would be linked to a functional facility where she would access mama kits and a voucher to be transported to the facility for delivery.

On his part, Dr Walter Mulombo, the Country Representative, World Health Organisation, said that for children to be born healthy, a pregnant mother needs to attend at least four antenatal clinic visits.

Mulombo added that pregnant women also need to take measures and seek care when ill.

He lauded the Federal Government health insurance scheme, saying “it helps pregnant women to overcome the financial challenges of accessing healthcare.

“When children are born, they need to get immunised and they need to get all the vaccines they need to grow healthy.

“When they become adolescents, they need to have access to adolescent care, including for girls, access to HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancer.”

The WHO country representative also said that the MAMII programme would be a year-long campaign and urged government to continue to invest in healthcare. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu