The First Lady of Anambra State, Dr Nonye Soludo, has paid off bills of several patients during a visit to various hospitals across the state to mark her 55th birthday.

The exercise took place at various medical facilities in the state including Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi and the newly-built General Hospital, Okpoko, on Thursday.

The first lady gave out cash gifts to offset the medical bills and other sundry expenses of many patients in the said facilities.

Similarly, some other patients benefited from free surgical interventions and received free eye care services, free medical treatment and screening for hypertension, diabetes, malaria and respiratory tract infection on the bill of the governor’s wife.

Mrs Soludo who is also the leader of the “Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo initiative” during the visit, said she always visited the needy in hospitals to celebrate her birthdays long before she got married.

In an interview with journalists after the exercise in Okpoko, she said she would repeat the exercise every year rather than throw birthday parties.

According to her; “Rather than celebrate my birthday with parties, I celebrate it with the needy by visiting the hospitals and less-privileged homes to celebrate to cater to their needs. This is a long-term tradition I have been practising long before I got married.

“Even during my single years, I celebrated with orphans, the sick, and the poor. I have never really been a person for parties. If you see me organising a birthday gathering, it is usually a low-key one with my family or close friends. Celebrating with the less privileged has always been a part of me.

“Every year, I spend my birthday with the sick, the motherless and the vulnerable. It is my way of reflecting on the true meaning of human existence, showing love, giving hope, and putting smiles on people’s faces.

“Bringing happiness to others is my greatest joy. My happiest moments are when I see people smile. That is all I need to feel fulfilled. With what I have done today, I consider my birthday celebration complete; whatever comes after is just extra.”

She encouraged others to always touch lives in their own way stating that puting smiles in the faces of people does not cost much.

She added; “Making people smile doesn’t cost much; sometimes all it takes is your presence and attention. Even helping an old woman find a place to sleep is an act of love. I am impressed by how neat the hospitals are. May the Almighty God bless and continue to strengthen the doctors and nurses here for their hard work.

In his remark during a get-together held at the Light House, Awka, later in the evening, Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, thanked all who saw to the success of the day’s activities.

Describing his wife as a machine and engine who powers the house, the governor stated that a birthday is not just about celebrating a person; it is a moment of charity and reflection as he thanked the first lady for being thoughtful and taking the action.

Soludo further narrated how he had planned to celebrate his wife on his birthday only for her to say she preferred to visit the needy in hospitals.

“This is the kind of charity that runs something from within. The day I knew that I was very blessed was the day I won her heart. Thank you for loving me. Since we got married, every year we celebrate our anniversary,” he praised her.