LAGOS- Guinness Nigeria PLC has inaugurated a renovated Guinness Eye Centre at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba.
In his welcome address at the inauguration on Thursday, , Mr Adebayo Alli, incoming Managing Director of Guinness Nigeria,said the company was deeply committed to impacting communities where they operated and where their people live.
“This unwavering commitment forms the basis of their Environmental Social Governance Strategy- Society 2030: Spirit of Progress which is our 10-Year action plan to help create a more inclusive and sustainable world.
“Inclusion and Diversity is the second of the three pillars on which our ESG Strategy is hinged, and the event we are holding today falls under this pillar.
“We believe that a more inclusive and diverse culture makes for a better world, and we continue to champion programmes and initiatives to actively drive this agenda within our business, with our partners and communities around us to help shape a more tolerant society.
“There is a popular saying that ‘The face is a picture of the mind with the eyes as its interpreter’, the importance of eye health cannot be over-emphasized, and this is one of the major reasons why Guinness Nigeria Plc. has tirelessly pursued this vision of supporting access to excellent and affordable healthcare to Nigerians.
“The facility we are officially commissioning today, was built almost 30 years ago, and since its inception, we have worked closely with the hospital management to ensure its smooth and effective running.
“Asides the lump sum spent on the latest renovation (which cost us circa 155m NGN), we have donated an annual NGN5m equipment grant to the facility year-on-year” he said.
Speaking, Dr Omobola Johnson, Board Chair, Guinness Nigeria PLC said that the commissioning marks a significant milestone in their longstanding commitment to social investment and the promotion of positive impact in Nigeria.
Johnson said that about three decades ago, Guinness Nigeria Plc constructed, equipped, and donated the Guinness Eye Centre to the Management of LUTH.
“Since its inception in 1994, the Guinness Eye Centre has played a pivotal role in the area of eye health services, providing comprehensive ophthalmic care services to a wide range of patients across Nigeria and neighboring countries.
“Annually, the Guinness Eye Centre sees an average of 3,000 new patients and 15,000 old patients. Also, an average of 650 eye surgeries are performed annually at this centre.
“This facility has not only been a beacon of hope for those seeking specialized eye care but has also served as a crucial training center for undergraduate medical and ophthalmic nursing students.
“Moreover, it serves as an examination center for the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria and the International Council of Ophthalmology Examination.
“Recognising the importance of sustaining and enhancing the quality of healthcare services provided by the Guinness Eye Centre, Guinness Nigeria Plc. recently undertook significant renovation and repairs.
“The extensive work included re-roofing and structural restoration, all aimed at preserving the integrity of the building and ensuring the continued delivery of exceptional healthcare services,” she said.
Earlier, Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, Chief Medical Director (CMD), LUTH, had said that in 1993, Guinness Nigeria PLC built and handed over the multi-million naira Guinness Eye Center to LUTH.
Adeyemo said that though no formal opening or commissioning was done, the Department of Ophthalmology, LUTH, moved into the complex in December 1993.
He said in 1995, as part of the commitment of the management of Guinness Nigeria PLC to maintain the standard of practice at the centre, a yearly grant of N5 million for annual equipment support was approved.
According to him, the yearly grant has been given till date (28 years), making a total of N140 million committed to equipment support.
The CMD said that in 2011, a sum of N3.2 million was released by Guinness Nigeria PLC for the general renovation of the complex.
“This year, the management of Guinness Nigeria PLC in furtherance of their commitment to maintaining standard of practice at the center embarked on comprehensive renovation of the center.
“These include but not limited to civil, plumbing, roofing and electrical works, furniture and aluminum works, comprehensive renovation of the toilets and construction of water tanks.
“As well as painting of the entire complex. In essence, Guinness Nigeria PLC has committed a total sum of N161, 300, 000 to the renovation of the center in 2023,” he said.
Also, a former CMD, Prof. Chris Bode, said that Guinness Nigeria PLC was committed to a dream, vision and passion to care for Nigerians.
Bode said that Guinness Nigeria PLC had always been committed to excellence. (NAN)
