UBTH names Ward after grateful patient

Thursday, December 15, 2016 9:08 am

Prof.-Ibadin-receiving-cheque-for-N1mn-from-Imansuangbon

Jethro Ibileke/Benin

Like the proverbial grateful leper who out of the 10 cured of leprosy, returned to thank Jesus Christ who cured them of their debilitating disease, a former Governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), for the third consecutive time, Barrister Kenneth Imansuangbon, on Wednesday returned to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), to show gratitude for help saving his life.

It would be recalled that Imansuangbon was hospitailised and treated in the hospital three years ago, following a ghastly road crash which almost claimed his life, vowed to visit the hospital annually to show his gratitude to the management and staff of the hospital that helped save his life.

Besides paying a ‘thank you visit’ to the management of UBTH, the former Governorship aspirant who is popularly known as Mr. Riceman from his annual free rice distribution to the less privileged across the three senatorial districts of the State during the yuletide season, has also made it a habit to donate food items to all patients in the hospital and the sum of N1 million to the hospital to offset the medical bills of indigent patients in Ward B4, where he was treated and discharged.

Imansuangbon with a patient

The philanthropist however had more than he bargained for during this year’s visit, as the management of the hospital announced the naming of Ward B4 after him, “for his outstanding contribution to the development of the hospital.”

By the announcement, Ward B4 of UBTH will henceforth be called Kenneth Imansuangbon Ward.

The Chief Medical Director of the Hospital, Prof. Michael Ibadin, who made the announcement, said the gesture became necessary in view of the fact that since Imansuangbon was hospitailised and discharged from the hospital, he has continuously fulfil his vow of donating food items and the sum of N1 million to the Hospital annually for the upkeep of patients.

“Imansuangbon is not the only patient that has benefited from the services of the Hospital, but he is the only one that has kept his promise after the accident he had and was discharged from the Hospital,” Prof. Ibadin noted.

The CMD used the opportunity to appeal to others who have benefited from the services of the Hospital to emulate Imasuangbon by contributing to the development of UBTH.

Earlier, Imasuangbon while presenting the cheque and food items, said he remained grateful to the of medical personnel that took care of him when he was brought to the Hospital after the accident, just as he praised them for their competence.

Imansuangbon who was full of emotion when he visited the Ward named after him, also offset the N200,000 medical bill of Stephen Imoholemen, a patient who occupied the very bed he laid on three years ago as an accident victim to the Hospital.

Commenting on the Ward named after him, he said; “I am very excited because this is coming from an unusual quarter. Am now fired up and forever, I will live my life in service to the society.”

On his part, the elated beneficiary of the gesture, Imholemen, a native of Auchi, and a National Diploma holder in Computer Science, who was treated for perforated stomach ulcer, said he was grateful and confused because he has been calling for assistance to offset the bill, before Imansuangbon came.

Earlier in the day, Imansuangbon had visited the Internally Displaced Persons’ Camp at Ohogua, where he also donated food items to the inmates of the camp. He promised not forget them in time of their needs.

He challenged the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and other well-meaning Nigerians to support the inmates.