By Dennis UDOMA, Uyo

For two weeks, rural communities across Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State witnessed an uncommon transformation as hundreds of residents, many burdened by years of untreated ailments, found healing, hope and renewed strength through a free medical outreach sponsored by the NNPC/Seplat Energy Joint Venture and implemented by the EMOIMEE Host Community Development Trust Fund (HCDTF) in partnership with Heritage Medical Services.

From Ukpum Minya and Ibiaku Clans to Ikpa Ibom and Ikpa Ikono, Primary Health Centres became centres of relief as residents trooped out in large numbers to access free surgeries, eye care, consultations, health education, laboratory tests and essential drugs.

For many beneficiaries, the intervention represented more than medical treatment; it was a lifeline.
Forty-year-old farmer, Mrs. Christiana Sunday John from Ikot Mkpeye in Ikpa Ikono Clan, said she had lived for years with a debilitating back condition she could not afford to treat.

“I came here for a back surgery after hearing an announcement in the community. This illness had been my greatest nightmare for many years, but God used EMOIMEE and the medical team to help me. I did not have the money to go to the hospital on my own,” she said.

Nineteen-year-old carpenter, Daniel Friday Dickson from Ikot Ekong in Ikpa Ibom Clan, also shared his excitement after receiving treatment for a long-standing health challenge.
He recalled following the medical team from one outreach centre to another until he eventually received specialised attention at Ikot Eda.

“This is my greatest happiness. I have suffered for years, but now I have found relief. I pray that this programme continues so that more poor people can benefit,” he said.

The stories of Christiana and Daniel reflected the experiences of thousands of residents who embraced the outreach, many of whom had endured health conditions for years due to poverty, distance from healthcare facilities and shortage of medical personnel in rural communities.

Statistics from the two-week exercise showed that more than 30 surgeries were successfully carried out, while thousands of residents received treatment for various ailments across the four clans of Mkpat Enin.

The intervention was coordinated by Heritage Medical Services under the leadership of renowned medical expert, Professor Etete Peters, whose team provided a broad range of healthcare services including paediatrics, surgery, optometry, health education and drug administration.

Professor Peters commended EMOIMEE for prioritising the wellbeing of the people, noting that healthcare remained one of the most effective tools for improving the quality of life in rural communities.

“This programme was designed to offer comprehensive healthcare services and to ensure that people who ordinarily cannot access quality medical care are not left behind,” he said.

Traditional institutions also hailed the initiative. Village Head of Ibekwe Akpanya, Eteidung Boniface Ekanem, described the outreach as a “healing balm” for rural residents.

“For two days, we have had hundreds of people suspending their businesses to come for treatment. This intervention is reducing the burden of travelling long distances to seek healthcare. I am excited that this is happening in my lifetime as village head,” he said.

The monarch noted that EMOIMEE had previously supported healthcare delivery by donating medical equipment to local health centres, describing the Trust Fund as a dependable partner in community development.

Earlier during the flag-off, the Chairman of Mkpat Enin Local Government Council, Engr. Emmanuel Inyang, said the outreach demonstrated the practical benefits of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which mandates oil companies to contribute three percent of their operating expenditure to host community development.

According to him, the initiative underscored the importance of ensuring that host communities derive direct and tangible benefits from the resources extracted from their environment.

“A healthy population is essential for sustainable development. This intervention shows how the provisions of the PIA can positively impact the lives of rural dwellers,” he said.

Representing the Board of Trustees of EMOIMEE HCDTF, Chief Ulor Ante described healthcare as one of the Trust Fund’s priority areas because healthy communities are more productive and economically viable.

Similarly, Rev. Obot Ekanem of the Management Committee said the outreach was the second major free medical programme organised by the Trust Fund and formed part of broader interventions aimed at improving the living conditions of host communities.

Stakeholders who monitored the exercise praised the medical team for professionalism and dedication.

Ward Personal Assistant to Governor Umo Eno, Hon. Etido Udowo, said the success of the programme demonstrated the impact of the Petroleum Industry Act in bringing development directly to host communities.

He commended EMOIMEE for understanding the peculiar needs of rural residents, particularly the aged and vulnerable who often lack the means to travel long distances for treatment.

Hon. Nkereuwem James, representing Senator Ekong Sampson, described the outreach as one of the most impactful interventions undertaken by the Trust Fund.

“Health is wealth. People need to be healthy before they can benefit from roads, education or any government programme. EMOIMEE has deployed the three percent host community fund to touch lives directly, and that is commendable,” he said.

Health Supervisor in Mkpat Enin LGA, Mrs. Idaraobong Silas, also applauded the sponsors and Heritage Medical Services for taking healthcare to the doorsteps of rural residents.

“For more than one week, people have received surgeries, drugs, eye tests and health education. This gesture has gone a long way in improving the welfare of our people,” she said.

Beyond healthcare, stakeholders noted that EMOIMEE has continued to execute several development initiatives, including renovation of schools, rehabilitation of health facilities, provision of medical equipment, scholarships for indigent students and skills acquisition programmes for youths.

Advisory Representative of the Management Committee, Obong Innocent Clement Idem, who monitored the exercise across different centres, said feedback from beneficiaries had been overwhelmingly positive.

He expressed satisfaction with the quality of services rendered, particularly the number of surgeries performed and the professionalism of the medical personnel.

As the outreach came to a close at Ikot Eda in Ikpa Ikono Clan, one message resonated across communities: access to healthcare remains a fundamental need, and when brought closer to the people, it restores not only health but hope.

For thousands in Mkpat Enin, the two-week medical intervention by the NNPC/Seplat Energy Joint Venture, EMOIMEE Host Community Development Trust Fund and Heritage Medical Services was not merely an outreach, it was a testament that development is most meaningful when it touches lives directly.

This brings to the fore, the unanimous calls by the stakeholders and the beneficial for sustenance of the scheme by the NNPC/Seplat Energy and EMOIMEE Development Trust to maintain and keep the momentum for the health improvement of the residents of rural communities in the area.