By Dave Okpogadie, Asaba
Dame Edith Okowa
In commemoration of the International Day of Charity, wife of Delta State governor, Dame Edith Okowa has reached out to some indigent patients at the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba with the 0’5 Initiative and defrayed the bills of 23 indigent patients to the tune of N5.9 million.
Speaking at the event put up to show care and support to the less privileged, Dame Edith Okowa observed that there are needy people around and some of them are faced with various health challenges and cannot buy drugs or pay their hospital bills while many children are roaming the streets because of their parents’ inability to pay their school fees.
Dame Okowa, who was represented at the occasion by wife of the deputy governor, DrEbierinOtuaro noted that due to challenges people face, they concentrate on their own problems and neglect their commitment to the poor, adding that International Day of Charity is not solely for 0’5 Initiative team but for everyone.
She encouraged everyone to render one form of assistance or the other according to one’s ability as there is always somebody one can help with the little available.
The deputy governor’s wife commended the management of the Federal Medical Centre for partnering with the 0’5 Initiative. “You are using this medical facility to give hope to the common man. You do not bore them with payments before treatment; you render services to them to keep them alive. Mam can only appreciate you but God will reward you abundantly for this show of love,” she added.
Earlier in his speech, the medical director, Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Dr Victor Osiatuma commended Dame Edith Okowa and the 0’5 Initiative for their selfless services to humanity.
The medical director added that the initiative has given succour and alleviated the plight of patients at the centre through regular defray of unsettled bills.
“It is our impression in this hospital that our own mother of Delta State, Her Excellency, Dame Edith Okowa has always worked in the true sense of Mother Theresa’s kindness and virtues to the helpless.”
Dr Osiatuma recalled that the celebration of the World Charity Day at the FMC started in 2017. Herevealed that in 2017, the governor’s defrayed the bills of 13 indigent patients to the tune of N4.5 million and in 2018, she defrayed the bills of 22 patients totaling N5.12 million on behalf of.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries of the kind gesture, Mr. James Mordi, who claimed to have spent nine months at the FMC, thanked Dame Edith Okowa and 0’5 Initiative. He remarked that every beneficiary was filled with joy.
He prayed for Dame Okowa and all those associated with the kind gesture.
