Indigent people in Ebonyi State got reprieve, at the weekend, as a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Mbam Stanley Lebechi (MSL) Foundation, paid their medical bills, totalling over N4 million.

The Foundation’s humanitarian initiative, driven by the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Works, Stanley Lebechi Mbam, also provided free medical outreach to support indigent residents across the state.

Coordinator of the Foundation, Ephraim Okorie, who spoke with journalists in Abakaliki, revealed that the MSL Foundation had handled multiple critical cases, ranging from major surgeries to outpatient support, welfare packages, and educational outreach within the state.

One of the most outstanding interventions, according to the Foundation, was the case of a three-month-old baby born with hydrocephalus, a severe neurological condition caused by spina bifida, which cost the Foundation over N1.7 million.

“We didn’t only pay the hospital bills, we also fed the baby and provided for the family during the entire stay. The baby was discharged in good health, and we’ve continued to monitor his recovery,” he explained.

Okorie mentioned another notable case involving a 20-year-old male patient that had suffered multiple complications from incisional hernia after two previous surgeries in a peripheral hospital.

“With support from the commissioner, the patient was moved to the National Obstetrics Fistula Centre (NOFIC) in Abakaliki, where he underwent a successful corrective procedure. We have paid over N400,000 of the N600,000 medical bill, with plans to settle the balance.

“The Foundation also cleared N310,000hospital bills for Baby Daniel, who underwent orthopedic surgery but was detained in the hospital for three months due to non-payment.”

In addition to handling in-patient cases, Okorie disclosed that the Foundation had extended medical relief to outpatients who could not afford basic medication and treatment.

This, he said, includes the purchase of immunisation drugs for newborns, hepatitis medication, and other life-saving injections for the poor.

“Beyond healthcare, the MSL Foundation has also embarked on community-based outreach initiatives, including the distribution of food items, clothings, and other welfare support to the less privileged.

“We are preparing for a mega outreach scheduled for September, which will cover free medical screening, drugs distribution, and welfare donations across communities,” he said.

On the education front, he said the Foundation had provided learning materials to pupils in Abakaliki, Izzi, and Ebonyi local councils, noting that plans are underway to extend the support to more councils, including Ivo, Ikwo, Ezza North, Ohaozara, among others, before the end of the year.

Okorie extolled Mbam for his dedication to supporting vulnerable populations in Ebonyi, describing him as the driving force behind the Foundation’s growing impact.

He said that the MSL Foundation would continue to reaffirm its mission to provide free and accessible healthcare, education support, and humanitarian aid to those most in need across Ebonyi State and beyond.