YOUNG COUPLE DETAINED IN HOSPITAL THREE MONTHS AFTER CHILD DELIVERY DUE TO POVERTY

YOUNG COUPLE DETAINED IN HOSPITAL THREE MONTHS AFTER CHILD DELIVERY DUE TO POVERTY

Chinwe with the baby

Babatunde Williams’s wife, Chinwe, gave birth to a baby boy through a caesarean section at a private hospital in Surulere, Lagos three months ago; the couple has since then remained stranded in  the hospital due to their inability to settle their hospital bill.

The hospital, Midas Touch Clinic, had stopped attending to the baby’s mother because the family had yet to pay about N500,000 bill incurred so far.

Chinwe (30 years old), who hails from Imo State, had been on admission in the hospital since October 13, 2014.

It was learnt that after the caesarean section, the woman underwent another surgery when she continued to bleed days after the birth.

The hospital charged them  N300,000 for the two surgeries while charges for accommodation, nursing care, and discharge as of December 15, 2014 stood at N172,000.

Chinwe said, “As I speak with you, the wound in the aftermath of the operations is still there. I am so weak that I cannot breastfeed my baby. We used to buy baby milk for him, but we have resorted to giving him pap when we could no longer afford the milk.

“Families and friends have tried their best, but it seems they have given up on us because they are no longer coming. The doctor stopped treating me because of the debt that keeps increasing. All my capital as a trader is exhausted.”

Williams, an engineer, said he had been sacked by the company he was working for because caring for his wife took part of the company’s time. He added that Chinwe’s stomach swelled up after the surgeries.

He said, “He lost about six pints of blood, which I bought for N14,000 per pint. I am always with her to see how she fares. In fact, our first child sleeps with us here in the hospital. I lost my job when I did not show up in the office after 10 days. I am fed up. God have mercy on us.”

Williams added that although the hospital manager had been kind to him, he was now under pressure to pay the bill.

If you are touched and moved to assist this couple, you can visit them at Midas Touch Hospital in Surulere, Lagos State or contact CRACO, and we will reach them on your behalf.

 

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