From Isaac Ojo Nnewi
Ahead the Christmas and new year celebrations, Nnewi indigenes in Atlanta, Georgia, USA has offset the hospital bills of thirteen indigent patients at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital(NAUTH), Nnewi, Anambra State.
In her introductory remarks, the representative of Nnewi Union in Atlanta, Mrs Grace Okeke in company of Mrs Chioma Egbuonu pointed out that the initiative actually started four years ago.
She noted that it started as an intervention for indigent Nnewi patients before it was later thrown open to accommodate people from other places.
“Thirteen indigent patients have been selected in this 4th edition of the intervention which is gulping a whooping N2.5m, another N500,000 has been provided to take care of the needs of baby food for the indigents and money for chemo.
“The intervention of Nnewi Union in Atlanta is not limited to payment of hospital bills for the indigent patients, the group offered palliatives to the people during the Covid 19 lockdown.” Mrs Okeke explained.
She added that many members of the group could not return home due to Insecurity ravaging the nation.
The Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) Prof Ogochukwu Ezejiofor who received the philanthropists on behalf of the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of NAUTH, Prof Joseph Ugboaja applauded the Nnewi Union in Atlanta for their intervention.
He noted that the group has been very consistent in their efforts to assist the less privileged especially during Christmas.
Emotions however ran high as Mrs Okeke and Mrs Egbuonu went round the hospital wards picking the bills of Awaiting Bill Settlement (ABS) patients who have actually been discharged but could not go due to their inability to pay.
A beneficiary, Ogbonna Chinenye who was delivered of a baby in November and discharged immediately but couldn’t go home because of her inability to pay her hospital bills thanked the group on behalf of herself and other beneficiaries.
Mrs Ogbonna, a resident of Onitsha said that staying in the hospital after being discharged for lack of money is the worst thing that can happen to anyone.
Ozobia Pascal Anekwe an accident victim from Enugu State who was discharged a forthnight ago was full of praises for Nnewi Union in Atlanta for coming to his rescue.
Pix: Mrs Okeke and some of the beneficiaries
