PORT HARCOURT – The Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) has cleared medical bills for indigent patients stranded at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH), Port Harcourt.

Tears and relief filled wards at the teaching hospital as members of NIESV, Rivers State Branch cleared outstanding arrears or paid the full bills for helpless patients unable to afford their treatments.

Among the beneficiaries were patients awaiting life-saving surgeries and others who had remained in the emergency unit because they could not clear outstanding bills.

The medical outreach marked opening of the NIESV, Rivers State Branch’s week-long end-of-year activities to promote service to humanity, professional development and member engagement.

The Branch Chairman, Pastor Nwokoma Nwankwo FNIVS, reflected that, “Behind every unpaid hospital bill is a family in distress. As professionals and humans, we believe our responsibility goes beyond our offices to touching lives and restoring hope”

To strengthen professional capacity, the branch enlightened on “Navigating New Tax Reforms: Practical Implications for Practicing Estate Surveyors and Valuers” to equip members with practical insights into emerging tax policies.

“The tax environment is constantly evolving. This session was designed to ensure our members are well informed, compliant and confident in their professional dealings,” Pastor Nwankwo noted.

Away from professional routines, members bonded and unwind at the recreational Pleasure Park, participating in draft, monopoly, scrabble and chess competitions and a golf tournament at the Python Golf Course.

The recreation also involved a novelty football match between NIESV members and the Nigeria Bar Association, promoting inter-professional friendship in an event that pulled a large crowd.

Outstanding Estate Surveyors and Valuers were then honoured with excellence awards in a dinner night that also featured unveiling of the branch’s newsletter, “Real Estate Watch Naija – Rivers State Edition”.

“Recognising excellence and documenting our journey are important. They motivate our members and preserve the legacy of the work we are doing”, Pastor Nwankwo noted.

At the thanksgiving to close the eventful week, the Branch Chairman summed, “From relieving patients of crushing medical debts to equipping professionals with knowledge and celebrating excellence, the programme underscored NIESV Rivers Branch’s commitment to compassion, professionalism and institutional growth.”