MTN , A’Ibom conduct free eye surgery

In pursuance of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, MTN Foundation has partnered with Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health and the Eye Foundation to conduct free eye surgery for over 6,000 patients.

The tripartite partnership under the auspices of The MTN Foundation Eyesight Restoration Intervention Scheme (MTNF EyeRIS) is aimed at curbing preventable blindness in Nigeria by conducting free cataract surgeries and providing free reading glasses and drug packs to Nigerians.

At the flag-off ceremony, wife of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel, said the eye restoration programme is timely in preventing blindness in the state. According to her, the MTN Foundation “has done well by identifying Akwa Ibom State in the Phase 2 of this programme. We are happy that hopes are being restored.”

On his part, Director, MTN Foundation, Reginald Okeya said the programme that runs from January 11 – 30, 2016 is expected to produce over 6,000 beneficiaries (2,000 cataract surgeries, 2,000 pairs of glasses and 2,000 drug packs).

In his words Okeya said, “In Phase 1, in partnership with respective State Governments, more than 34,000 patients in 6 States (Abia. Delta, Jigawa, Niger, Osun, & Sokoto) benefitted from the project, made up of 10,610 cataract operations and distribution of 11, 946 pairs of glasses and 11, 808 drug packs. In Phase 2, Akwa-Ibom, Ekiti, Kwara, Imo, Ogun, and Ondo States have been selected for the project.

Working with the various State Governments, the intervention has been successfully completed in Ogun, Imo, Ondo and Kwara States where 7,158 cataract surgeries were performed, 8,000 pairs of glasses and 8,000 drug packs distributed.”

Akwa Ibom Deputy Governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo also stated that, “this intervention could not have come at a better time as partnership with the private sector is one way to curtail the devastating effects of blindness on our people. We are happy that the MTN Foundation has brought succour to our people in this regard.”

Since inception in 2005, the MTN Foundation has spent over N18 billion on various interventions schemes in the areas of education, health and economic empowerment. Till date the Foundation has 550 project sites across the 36 states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).