KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 6): In a supreme act of kindness, an American oncology specialist decided to “erase US$650,000 (RM2.6 million) of his patients' debt”, reported ABC News.

Dr Omar Atiq based in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, United States was in the process of shuttering his cancer practise based at Pine Bluff, Arkansas, in March and was getting a billing company to collect payments from his former patients.

It then dawned on him that there were some patients that simply will not be able to pay their medical bills.

"Over time I realised that there are people who just are unable to pay. So my wife and I, as a family, we thought about it and looked at forgiving all the debt.

"We saw that we could do it and then just went ahead and did it," Dr Atiq told the Good Morning America program.

"Since I started practicing, I’ve always been rather uncomfortable with sick patients not only having to worry about their own health and quality of life and their longevity and their families and their jobs but also money," he said.

"That’s always tugged at me," Dr Atiq added.

So, the good doctor sent out a greeting card to about 200 of his former patients just before Christmas with this message: "I hope this note finds you well. The Arkansas Cancer Clinic was proud to serve you as a patient. Although various health insurances pay most of the bills for majority of patients, even the deductibles and co-pays can be burdensome. Unfortunately, that is the way our health care system currently works. Arkansas Cancer Clinic is closing its practice after over 29 years of dedicated service to the community. The clinic has decided to forego all balances owed to the clinic by its patients. Happy Holidays.”

Now that is a very, very good Christmas gift.

Dr Atiq is now a professor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

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