NNPC, TotalEnergies, partners commission mammography centre in Anambra

In furtherance of their corporate social responsibilities to communities, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, TotalEnergies Upstream Nigeria Limited, operator of OML 130, and partners have built and handed over a mammography centre to the General Hospital, Onitsha, Anambra State.

The mammography centre will provide patients access to effective technologically enhanced screening that will help in early detection, treatment and reduction in breast cancer mortality.

The centre, which is fully equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including main reception and waiting area, radiology office, mammography technicians bay, changing rooms, clinical examination rooms, as well as treatment room, is supported by a 40KVA generator for stable power supply.

The treatment room houses the Bard Magnum Breast Lump Biopsy set for image-guided breast lump biopsies, as well as Senographe Pristina 3D equipment, which delivers 3D imaging at the lowest radiation exposure with superior diagnostic accuracy in the detection of breast cancer. This equipment offers digital breast tomosynthesis and stereotaxy for enhanced image-guided biopsy, and can process 120 examinations per day.

In his welcome address, the Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services, Bala Wunti, who was represented by Senior Community Development Officer, NNPC, Mrs. Tolulope Derin-Adefuwa, said that the project, which aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), was part of efforts to mitigate identified gaps.

The Managing Director of TotalEnergies Upstream, Mike Sangster, who was represented by the General Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), TotalEnergies EP Nigeria, Mrs. Kenechi Esomeju, pointed out that the growing rate of breast cancer cases among women has reinforced the need for the centre.

“The growing rate of breast cancer cases and related fatality rate among women has reinforced the need for this intervention. The mammography centre project will help in early detection, and save more lives.”

The Chief Operating Officer of Prime Oil and Gas, Luc Vanson, expressed delight at the successful completion and commissioning of the mammography centre, noting that breast cancer is an important health issue that should be tackled.

He advised the beneficiary community to put the centre to good use.

Also, speaking at the event, the Commissioner of Health, Anambra State, Dr. Ben Obidike, assured the benefactors that the centre would be functional, well maintained and available to the people. He promised to make the centre known to the people of the community.

Obidike said: “The governor of the state is involved in ensuring this. He has already hired five radiographers and a consultant to help run the place.”