By Praise Chinecherem
A nursing mother, Mrs Chinenye Agu has been detained by the management of Ifechukwu Hospital, Umuoji, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State over N458,000 outstanding bills.
The victim, a native of Ezeagu in Enugu State but resides in Afor-Nkpor in Idemili North Council Area was delivered of a baby girl through caesarian section at the Hospital, in May this year.
Speaking to reporters, Mrs. Agu appealed to spirited Nigerians to assist her offset the medical bills to enable her take her baby home.
“Since May I put to bed, I’ve not been able to go home with my baby because I could not afford to pay the sum of N458,000 bill.
“My family has pleaded with the hospital Management to let us go, promising to be making payment by instalment to them until the debt is offset, but they have refused. I’m begging Nigerians to come to my aid,” she said.
A message sent to our correspondent stated: “Those touched by Mrs Chinenye Agu’s plight should donate to the account no Zenith Bank, 6231470950 – Agu Chinenye Veronica, or contact her with the no – 07064420989.”
Reacting, a legal practitioner, Mr Christian Arinze condemned the decision of the hospital Management to detain the woman and her baby, describing the act as unfair.
He said: “I don’t know which law permits a hospital to detain its patient over non payment of hospital bill. This is totally unfair.”
When contacted to get the reaction of the hospital management on the decision to detain the woman and her baby, a doctor in the Hospital, Dr Tobechukwu Ossai did not take his calls as at the time of filing this report.
