The wife of the Delta state governor and founder of O5 Initiative, Dame Edith Okowa has cleared N3.433 Million worth of bills of all indigent patients at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba.
Dame Okowa, as part of activities to mark the annual celebration of the World Charity Day, celebrated every September 5, reached out to stranded patients at her office in the government house, Asaba.
Presenting the cheque to the Chief Medical Director, FMC, Asaba, Dr. Victor Osiatuma, the wife of the governor explained why for the past four years, she had consistently chosen to clear the bills of indigent patients at FMC.
“We have vowed to put smiles on the faces of as many as we come across and by the special grace of God, we are not relenting on our promise of changing the world, one person at a time.
“Every September 5 and January 1, we visit the hospital to help clear outstanding bills for patients who are unable to pay.
“I chose to always reach out to patients in FMC because that is the only hospital where patients are admitted without being asked to pay anything”.
Dame Okowa explained that she had through her initiative encountered patients who after several months of being discharged still remain stranded at the hospital.
In her message of love to humanity in the spirit of the celebration, the O5 Initiative Founder admonished all to see life as a gift and not a reward for doing right.
“Being alive does not mean you are the best, God has rather kept you alive because He still needs you in the world. And if you want to truly live a life of impact and wealth, you must be willing and able to reach out to the needy in love”, she said.
In his vote of thanks on behalf of the indigent patients, Dr. Osiatuma voiced his appreciation to the First Lady.
“It gives me great joy to stand here to give a vote of thanks to Her Excellency for again remembering those who have been deprived of love, especially as I am particularly amazed at her consistency since 2017 till date.
“The patients do not have silver or gold to give in return but they are continually offering their sincere prayers for you and your team”, he said.
Part of the beneficiaries of the bailout was a mother of three whose husband had abandoned at the hospital since six weeks after she was delivered of a set of twins.
According to Osiatuma, the indigent woman had lost the two babies in the process as a result of complications, with the younger of them being diagnosed with a hole in the heart after birth.
At the point of her discharge, the woman had accrued a bill worth N1.5Million while had only made a deposit less than N10, 000 but according to the CMD, she had been allowed to go home without further payments.
Several high profile personalities witnessed the event which held at the Government House, Asaba, including Member representing Oshimili North Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Pat Ajudua.
Others were the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mordi Ononye, wife of the Deputy Governor, Dr. Ebierin Otuaro, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Director General, O5 Initiative, Mrs. Oghenekevwe Agas, amongst several others
