Catholic Priest Fetes Patients, Pays Medical Bills In Imo

A Catholic priest and founder of Citizens of Heaven Charity Foundation, Rev. Fr. Bonaventure Echeta, has written off medical bills of stranded patients in two hospitals in Orlu, Imo State.

Echeta visited St Damian Hospital Okporo and Jude Udokwu Memorial Hospital, Amaifeke, both in Orlu, last weekend and offset the medical bills of the stranded patients.

Among the beneficiaries were Mrs Uchechi Ihezuonu and Mrs Chiamaka Nweche, who were delivered of their babies via caesarian section but were detained in St. Damian’s Hospital due to their inability to pay their bills.

Though the women were medically fit to go home with their children, their inability to pay the bills of over N1million, kept them within the facility.

The priest also offset the medical bills of Mr Obioha Ubani from Umuokwara Oriu, and a baby named Uche Humphrey who all had accumulated bills for their health issues.

At the Jude Udokwu Memorial Hospital, Amaifeke, Orlu, Fr Echeta offset the bills of two men, Cyprian Mgbaojirikwe and Phillip stranded for medical treatment and tests.

Echeta disclosed that several people dealing with health issues develop complications due to worry and lack of support to offset their medical bills.

He noted that during health challenges, some people give in to despair which does more harm to the body than good.

Echeta noted that cost of hospital treatment was a major reason some people are stranded or detained after treatment and appealed for support from spirited individuals.

He appealed to the people not to despair no matter the situation but always present their requests to God and have faith for answers to prayers.

The priest appealed to people of means to assist stranded patients in hospitals with financial treatment support as a way of lifting burdens.

According to him, prayers without good works was dead saying people should help others share their burdens.

Furthermore, he called on people to become living saints via assistance to people in need, noting that it helps to lighten burdens.

While the families of the patients were full of appreciation to him and Citizens of Heaven Charity Foundation, Echeta said his parents, Regina and Joseph Echeta taught him and his siblings to be selfless and support people even at great discomfort.

Echeta said “we are here to remind you that God loves you irrespective of your financial situation, you just have to put your trust in God Almighty to perfect everything concerning you.

“Let us try and become living saints to people in need around us. Little drops of kindness will help. A saint is a person who does little things in extraordinary ways. I appeal to people to continue to show support to assist others.

“The Citizens of Heaven Charity Foundation initiative was established three years ago with the goal of extending a helping hand, providing support to those in need, making a difference and positively impacting the lives of individuals. Our charity work focuses on bringing hope, assistance, and transformation to those who require it most.

“Though you have been unable to go home because of the accumulated hospital bills, we at Citizens of Heaven Charity Foundation Initiative have come to support you go home. It is our prayer that God keeps and blesses you even as you’re now free to go home”, Echeta said.

He praised the hospital management and staff for the treatment of the patients even without prior payment and appealed to them to continue saving lives even as he prayed God to reward their selflessness.