On October 9, 2025, financially disadvantaged patients at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) in Enugu had their outstanding medical expenses fully settled through the N500 million South-East Medical Intervention Project.
Addressing the press, Dr. Darlington Nwabunike highlighted that this initiative is a key component of the De Imperial Philanthropic Family’s ongoing commitment to allocate N500 million towards healthcare support across multiple hospitals in five South-East states.
He emphasized that this act of generosity stems from the Foundation’s deep-rooted dedication to humanitarian causes.
Dr. Nwabunike further explained that membership in the De Imperial Philanthropic Family includes Igbo individuals both within Nigeria and abroad who share a strong passion for community service and philanthropy.
“Our organization is composed of South-East entrepreneurs who are channeling a portion of their resources back into society. We also have members from the diaspora contributing to this cause,” he said.
“Our goal is to liberate patients who have been unable to settle their hospital bills after discharge at UNTH. Additionally, we are supporting those who have discontinued treatment due to the inability to afford medication costs,” he added.
“Sixty-two patients will be discharged immediately, with their bills totaling just over N22.9 million fully covered. Beyond that, I have personally allocated over N1.8 million to provide each patient with N30,000 to assist their journey home and reunification with their families,” Dr. Nwabunike stated.
He also assured that patients who had previously halted treatment because of financial constraints will now be able to collect their prescribed medications from the hospital pharmacy.
Dr. Nwabunike revealed that a similar intervention was carried out earlier the same day at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital in Ebonyi State before arriving at UNTH, Ituku Ozalla.
He added that the project plans to extend its support to additional hospitals in Abia and other states within the South-East region in the near future.
Speaking on behalf of the Foundation, Elder Kelvin Ekenedilichukwu Ihebuike, a native of Ezeagu Local Government Area in Enugu State, reiterated that the De Imperial Philanthropic Family’s mission is centered on uplifting the underprivileged. He noted that the Foundation is also actively involved in constructing schools and providing scholarships to academically gifted students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The Chief Medical Director of UNTH, Professor Obinna Onodugo, represented by Dr. Charles Nonyelu, praised the Foundation’s management for this unprecedented level of support from a non-governmental organization.
He expressed disappointment in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) for failing to adequately meet the healthcare needs of ordinary Nigerians and assured that the Foundation’s donation would be effectively utilized to enhance patient care.
Professor Bessy Nwagha, a specialist in Dermatology at UNTH, also lauded the De Imperial Philanthropic Family’s efforts. She mentioned the establishment of the ‘UNTH Foundation’ as a platform to seek external assistance for patients facing medical challenges beyond the hospital’s capacity.
The beneficiaries expressed overwhelming gratitude, offering prayers for the Foundation and praising God. Several shared that they had remained within the hospital premises for over three months post-discharge due to their inability to pay for ongoing treatments.
