Falana Lauds NNPC’s Innovative Healthcare Project

Nigerian Human Rights activist Femi Falana has applauded the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation for the ongoing medical intervention project designed to provide in-country availability of first-rate healthcare services.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria commended the corporation at the 40th-anniversary celebration of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) in Abuja.

According to the statement issued by Group General Manager Group Public Affairs Division Ndu Ughamadu, Falana revealed that the project would not only stem the heavy traffic of sick Nigerians to India for medical solution, but would help arrest the high rate of maternal and infant mortality.

He further urged the NNPC management to use the project to attract a large number of highly skilled Nigerian healthcare professionals in the diaspora back to the country.

However giving insight into the project, Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru who was the chairman of the occasion, said the corporation is awaiting the final certification of the newly established NNPC Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) to commence full operation of the scheme.

‘’Through thick and thin, the leadership, as well as the 18,000 strong members of the Association, have kept faith with its objectives to ensure its growth from strength to strength,’’ he said.

Speaking earlier, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, Honorable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, who declared the event open on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, commended the union for its invaluable contribution to the development of the Nigerian economy through the years.

Comrade Olabode Johnson, PENGASSAN President, in his welcome address thanked past leaders and members of the association for their efforts in building what he described as a socially-responsive association and a trade union of repute.