She is not the head of her department, nor is
she paid any extra for work done. The patient is no relation of hers, or is
there any relationship between them. He is not a member of her church. He is
indigent, but urgently needed surgical attention. The sore on his left upper
limb was gangrenous, and it was creeping towards the shoulder. An urgent amputation could save him. For
days the procedure could not be carried out for lack of funds. Even the dressings needed donations to get
done. When the patient relation approached a more senior health worker for
help he referred them to the Medical Social Worker. This unsung heroine took
matters into her hands and encouraged coworkers to give for the care.
Donors for blood were arranged, and she called
up well meaning people to donate money, collecting cash and pledges just for
the stranger in need. Not content with that she took loans on account of the money
pledged so as to ensure the surgery is done; becoming the guarantor for the
unknown poor man. The next day, the
Samaritan took out two silver coins and gave them to the man who worked at the
inn. He said, 'Take care of this hurt man. If you spend more money on him, I
will pay it back to you when I come again.' Lk 10:35(ERV) After the surgery she follows up the pledged money and collects it.
What is her profession? It is immaterial. All health professionals have
heroes and villains; “the hood does not
make the monk” my mother said so many years ago. If it were the governor’s
relation, or the relation of a prominent man, such an act might have been done
in hope of monetary reward, recognition, influence or a mixture of such. "Ask her what I can do for her in return for all
the trouble she has had in providing for our needs. Maybe she would like me to
go to the king or the army commander and put in a good word for her." 2Kgs 4:13(GNB) Not in this case. "I have all
I need here among my own people," she answered. Unlike the Shunem woman she is no moneybag by today’s standards. Some
institutions regularly recognise and reward such behavior among their staff; no
such program is ongoing in this institution. The deed was not done to be
noticed by any man. Take care not to
do your good works before men, to be seen by them; or you will have no reward
from your Father in heaven
Mat 6:1(BBE). She has no hope of
public recognition, or merit award on earth for these acts of selflessness. When
she counted the money, it was in excess of the pledged amount. A call was put
to the giver; she did not hold back the money. Many people and organizations
raising funds for sick people build in their running costs into the amount to
be raised, doing business out of helping others. Not her.
Is this not what Jesus spoke of when He said “I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you
took care of me. I was in prison, and you visited me” Mat 25:36(ISV)? I
hope I am describing you, even if you are male and not a health worker. In the same way, good actions are obvious, and those
that are not cannot remain hidden1Tm 5:25(ISV).
Ms Okoye is a nurse at NOHE
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