Compassionate Cancer Doctor Gives Patients Welcome Gift Before Retiring
As a token of immeasurable grace, an Arkansas doctor chose to write off $650,000 in medical debt for nearly 200 cancer patients.
According to the NBC affiliate, KARK-TV Monday, Dr. Omar Atiq – who established the Arkansas Cancer Institute in Pine Bluff in 1991 wrote to his patients late last year to tell them he was immediately releasing their outstanding debts.
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“I hope this note finds you well,” the correspondence began, “The Arkansas Cancer Clinic was proud to serve you as a patient. Although various health insurance companies pay most bills for the majority of patients , even deductibles and co-payments can be expensive. Unfortunately, this is how our health care system currently operates. Arkansas Cancer Clinic is closing its practice after more than 29 years of dedicated service to the community. The clinic has decided to waive all balances owed to the clinic by its patients. Happy holidays.”
Speaking to the news station, the oncologist acknowledged that 2020 has been such a difficult year that he was actually happy to be able to ease some of the financial burdens his patients were having.
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“I love them, I care for them and I’m glad I was able to do a little for them at this point,” he concluded, noting that his clinic is working with a billing company to waive the debt. The Pakistan native closed his clinic last spring but ended up with outstanding balances which he now forgives.
“Being sick is hard, having cancer is harder, and having cancer in this pandemic is devastating,” he explained.
Dr. Atiq has treated thousands of patients and admits he has never forgiven debt before. But in this act of kindness, he estimates he erased about $650,000 in payments from his books.
“I’m just a regular doctor – a regular person they have in the neighborhood – it just happens to be me here,” he continued. “Those who were struggling couldn’t pay, so we thought we could just cancel the debt.”
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