- Osun Mother, Newborn Stuck In Hospital Over ₦700,000 Medical Bill
- Baby treated for birth complications, remains confined after recovery
- Family appeals for public help as hospital demands partial payment
For more than three months, 21 year old first time mother, Iqmat Yinusa, has remained trapped inside a private hospital in Osogbo, Osun State, unable to take her newborn son home due to an unpaid medical bill running into hundreds of thousands of naira.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Yinusa, who hails from Iree in Boripe Local Government Area, said her ordeal began in August when she delivered her baby through a Caesarean section after days of prolonged labour. The child, born weak and unable to cry, was immediately referred to Lifeline Paediatric Hospital, Alekuwodo, for emergency care.
“My child and I have been here since August. We are not allowed to go because we couldn’t pay the hospital bill,” she said, kneeling as she pleaded for help.
She explained that her labour lasted three days across two hospitals before doctors recommended surgery. Shortly after delivery, the baby developed complications and was rushed to Osogbo for specialist treatment.
“I was separated from my baby at birth. It was painful. I kept praying for God’s intervention,” Yinusa said.
According to her, the baby was placed on oxygen for more than a week and treated for severe weakness. She was later allowed to join him after her own health deteriorated and she received blood transfusions and intravenous fluids.
Despite completing treatment, Yinusa said her son has remained confined to a hospital cot since birth.
“Since birth, my baby has not seen the outside world. I can’t even hold him for long. He has rashes all over his body,” she said tearfully.
The unpaid bill, she said, stands at about ₦700,000 after an initial deposit of ₦150,000.
Her husband, Sodiq, a well ring moulder, said the family has spent over ₦900,000 on medical care and is financially exhausted.
“This situation has drained me emotionally and financially. I have no work now and nobody is willing to lend me money,” he said.
An assistant manager at Lifeline Hospital, Ayomide Oladosu, confirmed that the baby was diagnosed with perinatal asphyxia and required oxygen, phototherapy and close monitoring.
He said the total bill came to ₦869,500, with ₦669,500 still outstanding.
The hospital’s owner, Dr Efeturi Agelebe, said the baby could be released if the family paid 70 per cent of the balance, citing previous losses from unpaid bills.
