River Boat Clinic - Health Care Delivery at the Doorsteps Nigeria

In 2000, CNL Nigeria Limited, along with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and the government of Delta State, launched a river boat clinic that takes health care to the doorsteps of CNL’s neighbors, along the creeks and tributaries of the Escravos and Benin Rivers.

On designated days each week, the boat travels to and berths at Madangho, Opuama, Opia, Benikrukru, or Gbokoda – all communities that host Chevron operations – where doctors, nurses, and auxiliary staff treat the sick and deliver quality health care. Most cases are handled on the spot, while more serious ones are referred to the nearest urban hospitals and medical centers. Treatment is free.

The NNPC/CNL/Delta State Government Mobile River Boat Clinic seeks to improve health care in an area with no access to medical services. In the past, patients had to journey across numerous creeks and rivers to health centers in faraway cities. They also had to pay for costly drugs in these centers.

With the riverboat initiative, the Delta State Government deploys its staff to the clinic and pays their salaries, while Chevron provides logistics, drugs, dressings, and all needed equipment. CNL also supplements staff allowances.

The clinic has met with an enthusiastic response. For example, in the single month of April 2002, the medical team saw 475 adult males, 582 adult females, and 922 children, or a total of 1,979 patients.

The River Boat Clinic is part of Chevron’s ongoing commitment to improving health services in its Niger Delta operating areas.

In addition, the company has contracted with a Nigerian firm to rebuild the Ugborodo Cottage hospital, damaged during civil strife. Meanwhile, construction of two other hospitals in the host Niger Delta communities of Oporoza and Tsekelewu are in the active planning stage.