For many patients with severe cases admitted at the National Hospital Abuja, it was a moment of financial relief after Sir Emeka Offor Foundation (SEOF) came to their rescue and cleared outstanding medical bills for them.
According to medical officials of the hospital, the patients had appeared helpless until SEOF remembered, visted and showed compassion.
The matron in-charge of the in-patient paediatric unit of the hospital, Mrs Helen Adah, who disclosed several challenges the patients had to go through to eat, talk more of affording to pay for medications said their illness ranged from typhoid perforation, severe burns and inguinal hernias, among others.
“Sir Emeka Offor Foundation has done great in rescuing these patients today. Most times, the nurses and doctors make up money to help them feed.
“I do appreciate this Foundation that have come to put smiles on the faces of my patients. It is indeed not an easy task and I pray that the good Lord will bless and replenish whatever they spent to make these children smile and give their parents some succor and relief.
“One of the patients had typhoid perforation which led to intestinal obstruction. He was taken to theatre for emergency laparotomy and have been placed on TPN. He had a successful surgery and is actually feeling better as he has been placed on Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) and intravenous antibiotics.
“Another patient here had severe burns from hot water. He came in here very sick with fulminating infections. He had septicaemia but thank God he is feeling much better now and this money that the SEOF have given will bring a lot of relief as the child has been scheduled to go to the theatre,” she said.
Also speaking, the Deputy Director, Planning in-charge of Social Welfare, Anthony Osuji, said the gesture was a genuine demonstration affection for humanity.
He said, “This is more of an humanitarian service and a welcome development. The hospital management are very grateful and will like to use this opportunity to appeal for more of such gestures from other non-governmental organisations or philanthropists.
“With what we have witnessed today, I can say so many lives have been touched whether directly or indirectly.”
On why the Foundation is embarking on series of humanitarian activities, the Vice President of the Foundation, Barr. Adaora Offor, said the hospital visit was the initiative of her husband whose major concentration is on downtrodden.
She said, “The Christmas is a period most people spend to buy clothes, shoes, bags of rice and save money to spend on frivolities such as parties and so on.
“However, there are people that don’t have those plans. It is not because they don’t want to, but because they can’t afford to… They are here, sick and passing through all kinds of illnesses and most of them are stuck here because they can’t afford to pay for the medical care being given to them.
“It’s a very humbling experience and it makes you think and wonder what you really spend your money on and if those things are worth it. So, I thank my husband, Sir Emeka Offor, the President of the Foundation, for his vision and commitment towards this outreach.”
Giving the overview of the entire medical bills offset by the Foundation, AIG Chris Ezike (rtd), Chief of Staff to Sir Emeka Offor said a total of 15 patients benefitted from over N2million payments of surgeries and other medications.
He said plans ee6re on by the SEOF to reach out to more patients in the hospital.
Recently, the Foundation visited Police Officers Wives Association (POWA), Defence Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA) and Kuje Custodial Centre where various food items, toiletries and other valuables were donated.
