MTN Foundation partners with Imo State Ministry of Health
MTN Foundation/Eye Project in
collaboration with the Imo State Ministry of Health has commenced a 3-week free
cataract surgery, eye screening and distribution of eye glasses to people
suffering from eye impairment in the State.
Speaking at the flag off ceremony
held at the Specialist Hospital, Umuguma Owerri, Governor Rochas Okorocha commended MTN
Foundation for coming to the rescue of people having challenges to their sight
while calling on Nigerians to adopt the culture of helping the less
privileged. Said he; “Life is aimless
unless you are able to help those who are in need that is why I invest greater
percentage of all I have to charity through the Rochas Foundation,”
The Commissioner for
Health, Dr. Edward Ihejirika thanked Governor Okorocha for his feat in the
Health sector which he said helped Imo in attracting the programme, having
satisfied the needed requirements from MTN in a contest among the five States
in the South-East,
Dr. Ihejirika urged Imolites to use
the rare opportunity and visit the Specialist Hospital, Umuguma Road, Owerri to
receive free eye treatment, screening, surgery (removal of cataract) and eye
glasses within the period.
In her remarks, the General
Secretary, MTN Foundation, Ms. Nonny Ugboma said the project has been awarded
to Imo State for the South-East on merit alone, as she noted that ‘this shows
many good things are going on in Imo State.’
Ms. Ugboma who said this is the 2nd
phase of the Eyesight Restoration Intervention Scheme aimed at curbing
preventable blindness in Nigeria, explained that the screening, surgery and eye
glass distribution will hold on daily basis at the Specialist Hospital,
Umuguma, Owerri. She said there will also be eye screening at the General
Hospital, Mbaise from 16 to 18th January, St. Anthony Catholic
Hospital, Okigwe from 19th to 24th January and General
Hospital, Orlu from 26th to 30th January, 2015.
In his goodwill message, the
Chairman, MTN Foundation, Dr. Paschal Dozie said the programme targets the
elimination of eye defects, noting that cataract can cause blindness which is a
major handicap in man.
Dr. Dozie maintained that MTN is the
only Company in Nigeria that has selected programmes touching the welfare of
Nigerians having invested about N10.5 billion in education, training of
musicians, women empowerment, scholarships, and other areas of need.
He thanked Governor Okorocha for
promoting the welfare of Imo people.
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