In a bid to tackle the new challenge of drug resistant strains of tuberculosis, Agbami Oil Field operators led by Star Deepwater Petroleum Limited, a subsidiary of Chevron, has donated a fully-equipped chest clinic to Immanuel General Hospital, Afaha Eket, Eket Local Government Area for the treatment of tuberculosis and other heart related diseases to Akwa Ibom State.

Representing the Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dominic Ukpong, described tuberculosis as a devastating public health problem that has been responsible for a high level of morbidity and mortality in Nigeria and the world at large.  He reiterated the need for government and partners to re-strategise and channel their efforts towards tackling this disease especially it’s drug resistant strains..

He commended Star Deepwater Petroleum Limited and partners which include NNPC, Famfa Oil Limited, Stat Oil Nigeria Limited and Petroleo Brasileiro Nigeria Limited, for the kind gesture, adding that the clinic would mark a great turning point in the control and possible elimination of the disease in the state.

According to him: “Tuberculosis is a known chronic and debilitating disease responsible for a high level of morbidity and mortality globally. According to a recent national prevalence survey of tuberculosis, Nigeria has the highest prevalence in the African continent and the third highest in the world.

“In Akwa Ibom state, thousands of residents have been diagnosed to have tuberculosis of which over 90 percent of cases diagnosed have been successfully treated using the anti tuberculosis multi – drug therapy. However we are being faced by new challenge in the emergence of drug resistant strains of tuberculosis to treatment, therefore there is a dire need for government and partners to re-strategize with the aim of channelling our efforts towards not only to the prevention of the resistant strain of the disease but also to ensure that those diagnosed with this strain are well catered for and treated in a controlled environment.The donation of this chest clinic facility by Star Deepwater Petroleum and its partners in the Agbami field is a great step towards the right direction. This gives the government and indeed residents of Akwa Ibom a base which TB management can be carried out”

Mr. Sam Otuoye who represented the Director of Star Deepwater Petroleum Limited, Jeffrey Ewings, stated that the facility which came fully equipped with a standard x-ray machine, male and female wards, treatment rooms, laboratories and gene expert machine was the 25th one donated to different parts of the country including the FCT Abuja,

“This occasion demonstrates yet another example of the Co-venturer’s determined efforts to improve the healthcare system in Nigeria. I therefore encourage our recipient to effectively manage the chest clinic for the benefit of the people and ensure its sustainability”, he said.

Source: The Nation, 2nd October, 2015