Catholic Charity Group to Build Hospital Offering Free Healthcare to Indigent Residents in Anambra

By Praise Chinecherem

The International Confederation of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, National Council of Nigeria, has announced plans to establish a hospital in Awka, Anambra State, to provide free medical services to indigent and vulnerable residents.

The National President of the organisation, Okpala Blessing, disclosed this during the Society’s National Board Meeting, Onitsha Metro 2026, themed, “Leading With Love, Rekindling the Vincentian Spirit of Charity, Unity and Accountability.”

She said the organisation had continued to provide humanitarian assistance through empowerment programmes for youths, widows and other disadvantaged individuals across the country.

However, she identified medical care and funding as major challenges confronting the Society, noting that establishing a hospital would significantly improve access to healthcare for vulnerable people.

“Our major challenge is medical. There are so many patients who have spent months in hospitals because they cannot offset their medical bills,” she said.

Okpala disclosed that the organisation had approached its bishops for land to establish a hospital and clinic in Awka.

“We are requesting land from our bishops to build a hospital with a clinic here in Awka. It was one of the requests we presented to the bishop during our visit on the first day we arrived.

“We assured him that once land is given to us, we will commence construction. We need support from the government, international organisations and well-meaning individuals.

“Those who cannot afford medical bills will be treated free of charge, while payments from those who can afford them, alongside funding from other sources, will be used to pay staff salaries,” she said.

The National President reaffirmed the Society’s commitment to serving the poor, stressing that its humanitarian mission goes beyond religious preaching.

“The name we bear is not ordinary. This is a man who put his life on the line for the less privileged and downtrodden.

“We do not just preach Christ with words; we see Christ in the poor. Through our lives, we impact society positively.

“We do not joke with the poorest of the poor. We do not just give people fish; we teach them how to fish,” she said.

Okpala said the Society had supported numerous widows, including those struggling to pay their children’s school fees, while also providing vocational skills and empowerment opportunities for disadvantaged youths.

She disclosed that more than 180 men and women had been empowered at the retreat centre alone, including people who relocated from northern and western Nigeria in search of employment.

According to her, the organisation had also equipped hundreds of less privileged youths with skills to become self-reliant.

On the purpose of the board meeting, she said it provided an opportunity for leaders to deliberate on the Society’s growth, review activities across its various apostolates and communicate decisions to members at the grassroots.

“We make laws in the interest of the poorest of the poor in society, while strengthening our leadership through reports from our various apostolates.

“All reports are reviewed and ratified at our Annual General Meeting,” she added.

Society supports inmates, indigent students

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Kim Eseka Emmanuel, said the Society had continued to positively impact the lives of vulnerable people through prison visitations, facilitating the release of inmates, scholarships for indigent children and other humanitarian interventions.

Kim, a former National President and National Patron/Trustee, traced the organisation’s humanitarian mission to the suffering and poverty witnessed in Paris during the 16th century.

He said the Society was inspired by St. Vincent de Paul, who dedicated his life to caring for the needy and disadvantaged.

“Since the Society came to Nigeria about 66 years ago in Lagos, it has touched and impacted the lives of the poorest of the poor.

“It is not enough to claim to be Catholic and pray the Rosary; we must also do the work of charity,” he said.

Kim disclosed that the Lagos Central Council spent an average of N500 million annually on establishing businesses for unemployed people and widows, among other humanitarian interventions.

He added that similar initiatives were being implemented across other ecclesiastical provinces in Nigeria.

Coordinator calls for accountability, partnerships

In his remarks, the Coordinator of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Africa 2, Zone 1, Eze Victor, identified integrity and accountability as critical values for members, particularly because the organisation manages financial and material resources for humanitarian purposes.

Comparing Nigeria with four other English-speaking West African countries under his jurisdiction, Eze commended the Nigerian Society for remaining committed to the organisation’s vision and mission.

He, however, expressed concern over the growing number of vulnerable people amid worsening economic conditions and rising inflation across the region.

“While membership is increasing, the vulnerable population is also increasing. As the economies across these countries decline, inflation continues to rise.

“You need to see the number of vulnerable people who throng our parishes for assistance every Wednesday and Sunday, despite the limited resources available,” he said.

Eze cited recent interventions, including the provision of a two-bedroom accommodation for a visually impaired man in Lokoja and assistance to communities affected by flooding.

He disclosed that the Society relied largely on appeals for funding and called for stronger partnerships with organisations such as Rotary International and pharmaceutical companies to expand its humanitarian reach.

Award recipient pledges renewed commitment

One of the award recipients, Elias Egie-Agabi of the Lagos Central Council of the Society, expressed appreciation to the organisation for recognising his contributions.

He described the award as a collective achievement, crediting his team for its commitment to humanitarian service.

“The award is not about me, but about my team, whose impact impressed the organisers.

“It will motivate us to do more and better because to whom much is given, much is expected. It will also encourage others who were not honoured.

“We will continue to work harder to ensure that the poor and less privileged, whom we call our masters, are comfortable,” he pledged.

The Society reiterated its commitment to advancing charity, accountability and humanitarian service while seeking partnerships and resources to reach more vulnerable Nigerians.

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