The Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Nigeria has offered free cataract screening, surgery, and treatment for residents of Edo State.
About 180 persons, including 120 adults and 20 children, benefitted from the initiative in conjunction with the Ophthalmology department of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Yongxing Steel Company in Benin, and the Edo State Ministry of Health.
In addition to the free screening, treatment, and surgery, the first 20 persons to register for the programme were given a cash award of N100,000, as a pat on the back for believing in the project and being pathfinders.
At the flag-off of the programme, the Acting Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Nigeria, Mr. Jin Mingyu, said that the government of China and its Embassy in Nigeria were delighted to be of help to indigent Nigerians through the free eye treatment.
He pointed out that several Chinese companies are doing business in Edo State adding that the eye-care programmes are another way of giving back to the community.
He enjoined the people of the State to take advantage of the opportunity of the programme to improve their health, noting that the Consulate-General would continue to offer programmes that would support the needs of Nigerians.
According to him, “The free surgery is meant to help people with medical needs. We realise that this will help Nigerians, so we decided to sponsor the treatment. We are happy to sponsor this free surgery, and I hope that Nigerians will take advantage of it.”
Also speaking Mr. Zhang Xianghai, Managing Director of Yongxing Steet Company, Benin, one of the supporters of the project, through the Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Frank Wong, expressed their delight to be part of the programme, noting that “it is important doing good business in an environment should also be doing for the people.”
He pointed out that his company has continued to partner with the Edo State Government and the people of Ogu
a Community, where they are located, to support in meeting the needs of the people.
In his opening remarks, Chief Medical Director of UBTH, Prof. Darlington Obaseki, praised the Consulate for assisting in alleviating the plight of the patients who would have to look for other means to foot the bill for their screening and treatment.
He said, “I commend the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China for these gestures and hope that it is not a one-off. The management of the UBTH is also ready to partner with the sponsor on programmes like this.”
Head of the Ophthalmology Department, Dr. Valentina Okeigbemen, said, “We have a target to do a minimum of 120 cataract surgeries, 100 adult surgeries and 20 surgeries in children.”
SOURCE: GUARDIAN NEWSPAPER
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