PenOp backs project for elderly health

Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOP), the umbrella association of all Pension Fund Operators in Nigeria, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has thrown its weight behind a project targeted at elderly welfare.

The project code named Gray 2.0, a week-long exercise held in Lago treated about 1000 elderly people for various ailments such as prostate cancer, hernia, breast lump, diabetics, and general surgeries. This was conducted by specialist surgeons, gynecologists, oncologists, nurses and other medical experts.

PenOp which collaborated with non-government organisations, Orange Health Initiative and Legus Foundation, owners of Veteran Hospital provided free medical treatment for elderly people of over 60 years and above.

The retirees on the Contributory Pension Scheme are majorly the beneficiaries of this noble initiative as they expressed appreciation to pension Operators involvement in the course that has put smiles on their faces.

According to one of the retirees who declined his name mentioned in the print, the new pension scheme couldn’t have been better. He said even when his pension has been paid regularly by his PFA they have gone out of their way in giving them free treatment of this magnitude.

For him it is rare in Nigeria’s 55 years history to have such gesture from the system.  Our source who was diagnosed of diabetese said; “My sincere appreciation goes to PenOp for inviting me to partake in this programme .I have been diagnosed of diabetes and the doctors have told me what to do next, which of course, the organizers are going to take financial responsibility for the entire treatment. I am glad and I give thanks to God for making it happen right in my presence. It couldn’t have been better,” he said.

PFAs have, it was learnt sent over 250 elderly people in their registers to obtain free medics during the exercise, the course that received applaud from the retirees under the CPS.

Susan Oranye, executive secretary, PenOp stated that the significance of Project Gray 2.0cannot be overemphasized as it focuses on the health and wellbeing of the elderly. Operators understand that having apensions to fall back on in retirement and good health is the main focus of many elderly men and women.

It is this commitment to the wellbeing of old people that led to PenOp’s collaboration with the Orange Health Initiative in ensuring that these people have unhindered access to medical checkups and treatments for this week.