Healthcare is the backbone of any thriving society—yet, for many, it remains out of reach. Good
health influences not only individual well-being but also economic stability, national
development, and overall quality of life. When people can’t access the care they need, the
consequences ripple far beyond personal health—productivity declines, industries falter, and
entire families and communities suffer.
In Nigeria today, where the cost of basic necessities has skyrocketed, quality healthcare is
slipping even further beyond reach. A simple hospital visit now feels like an overwhelming
financial burden. As food, transportation, and essential goods become increasingly expensive,
many are forced to choose between survival and medical care. Some delay treatment, ration
medications, or turn to self-medication, whispering prayers like “By His stripes, I am healed.”
For those battling chronic illnesses, the struggle is even more dire. Amid these challenges, St. Charles Borromeo Specialist Hospital, Onitsha, stands as a beacon of hope. At a time when quality healthcare feels like a privilege rather than a right, this faith-driven hospital is defying the odds—offering life-saving surgeries completely free of charge.
In November 2024, St. Charles Borromeo organized a free Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) medical
outreach, screening over 300 patients and successfully performing 44 surgeries in just five days.
For many, it was nothing short of a miracle. One grateful recipient described it as “the best
Christmas gift ever received.”
The impact of this historic outreach extended beyond the numbers—every surgery was 100%
successful, with no casualties recorded. All patients fully recovered and returned to their normal lives, a testament to the hospital’s dedication to excellence. Prior to the ENT outreach last year, the hospital had already conducted over 170 free neurosurgeries, all at no cost to the patients.
Growing up Catholic in southeastern Nigeria, one often hears of St. Charles Borromeo Specialist
Hospital as a “multispecialist hospital that has grown to become one of the largest private
hospitals in West Africa.” Or, in everyday encounters, it serves as a familiar landmark in
Anambra, often referenced by passengers to bus drivers: “Biko kwụsị m na Boromi junction”
(Please drop me at Borromeo junction).
Yet, experiencing St. Charles firsthand reveals that it is so much more than just a hospital—it is a
sanctuary of healing, compassion, and faith in action.
Before surgery, patients were prayed for, encouraged, and counseled. The hospital staff weren’t just professional; they were deeply compassionate, offering reassuring words and genuine care.
For Catholic patients, Holy Communion was administered daily. Patients received food, hourly
check-ups before and after surgery, and an overall level of care that felt personal rather than
clinical—a rare and profound experience in today’s medical landscape.
The environment was clean and well-maintained. But what stood out the most was the
affordability—medical tests that cost ₦180,000 in other private hospitals and neighboring labs
were only about 40% of that price at St. Charles. Everything about St. Charles made it clear that
this was a mission-driven, not-for-profit hospital, led by the capable Rev. Fr. Dr. Izunna
Okonkwo.
St. Charles offers a profound lesson on what true evangelism looks like—not through words, but
through action. Here, faith is not just preached; it is lived out in service, compassion, and
unwavering commitment to humanity.
Patients weren’t just treated; they were cared for with kindness that transcended duty. This
wasn’t evangelism wrapped in conditions or expectations of reciprocity. It was pure, selfless love in action—giving without asking, healing without boundaries, and embodying the very essence of Catholic charity.
During the medical outreach screening, it was heartbreaking to see multitudes of people who had lived with ear, nose, and throat tumors and other life-threatening conditions for years simply
because they couldn’t afford care. Yet, St. Charles, with the support of Hungary Helps,
AFREKA Foundation, and It is to Do Good Foundation, took on their cases—free of charge—
without discrimination of religion, tribe, or social status.
For years, the Catholic Church has played a critical role in healthcare, building hospitals,
providing free medical care, and running some of the largest humanitarian health programs in the
world.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Catholic Church offered the Federal Government access to
all 435 Catholic hospitals and clinics in Nigeria to help accommodate COVID-19 patients—a
selfless move to support a struggling healthcare system. When you read such things in the news,
they seem admirable—but it hits differently when you become a direct beneficiary of such
kindness.
Healthcare is a fundamental right. Everyone deserves a chance to live a healthy life, to grow old,
and to thrive. However, with the current economic downturn and the U.S. funding freeze for
healthcare in developing countries, affordable healthcare will become even more difficult to
access.
Despite funding constraints, AFREKA Foundation is returning to Nigeria on February 17, 2025,
for another round of free neurosurgeries. For this, we remain eternally grateful to Dr. Reka Fodor
and the AFREKA team, Hungary Helps, It is to Do Good Foundation, Rev. Fr. Dr. Izunna
Okonkwo, and the entire staff at St. Charles Borromeo Specialist Hospital, Onitsha.
We also deeply appreciate our Proprietor, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, Archbishop of Onitsha
and Metropolitan of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, for his ingenuity, love, care, generosity, and administrative acumen. His motto, “That they may have life, and have it abundantly,” is a direct
reflection of the mission that St. Charles embodies till today.
Our hope—and prayer—is that the government and funding partners will not only recognize but
actively support these lifesaving efforts. Healthcare is a right that must reach those who need it most.
( Trinitas Newspaper)
