Over 600,000 persons in the Niger Delta region have so far benefitted from the free medical treatment tagged “Health-in-Motion” organised by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in the past eight years.
This was disclosed by Igo Weli, general manager, external relations, during the opening ceremony and flag-off of the SPDC Assa-Obite pipeline community care programme at Obite town hall in Ogba – Ndoni -Egbema Local Government Area in Rivers State through Chibuzor Anyim, manager, external relations, land.
The free medicare featured cardiac vascular screen, breast and cervical cancer care, dental and eye care, and treatment of minor and chronic ailments.
“What distinguishes the SPDC JV health in motion programme and makes it so popularly accepted is that the doctor comes to the doorstep of the recipients and the doctor does not come empty handed,” he said.
He went on “As a company, we are passionate about health and safety and committed to the people in the communities where we operate. We uphold a maxim of ‘We Care’ in our business and believe that a healthy population is not only a productive population but strengthens the economy and wealth of the nation.”
The general manager regretted that the efforts of the people to access medicare were sometimes hindered by ignorance, limited resources, and avoidable delays. “But with the presence of our doctors in the benefitting communities, I encourage all of you to take advantage of the opportunity and present yourselves for screening and treatment at the different service points in the town hall and canopies outside,” he said.
He reminded them that the greatest gift or wealth was good health, and commended them for making themselves available.
The chairman of ONELGA, Odili Ifeanyi, who was represented by the chief of staff, commended Shell for their healthcare programme and urged the company to make the service to be regular.
He also urged the people from the local government to support and cooperate with Shell.
Shell says it runs various projects in some of the communities where we operate, often in partnership with local NGOs or development bodies, to improve access to healthcare for local people and to reduce the spread of diseases like HIV/AIDS and malaria.
Today, millions of people across the world are unable to access medical treatment. In some communities where we work, access to healthcare may be limited or inadequate. For example, parts of Iraq have an acute shortage of doctors and other medical staff due to ongoing local conflicts and war.
To help address these challenges, Shell runs various projects that provide access to adequate healthcare to communities, often in partnership with local non-governmental organisations or development bodies. We also have health facilities that are available to employees, contractors and, where possible, to local people.
In the Niger Delta, for example, the Obio Cottage Hospital in Port Harcourt has become one of the most visited health facilities in the region. It was set up by Shell Petroleum Development Corporation (SPDC) in 2010 and offers a community health insurance scheme.
