Hospital detains 18-year-old nursing mother for 5 months over medical bills

Hospital detains 18-year-old nursing mother for 5 months over medical bills

Story from Hamzat Ibrahim ABAGA 

An 18-year-old nursing mother named Toyin Oluwagbemiga and her infant have been held at Trinity Hospital in the Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State for the past five months for failing to make payment for her medical bills, which totaled N537,800.

Reports indicate that Toyin became pregnant by Joshua Cole immediately after finishing her Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) at Ekuigbo Grammar School.

However, complications arose during her delivery, leading her to seek medical attention at Ekuigbo Community Health Centre in Ughelli.

Due to the severity of her condition, she was referred to Ughelli Central Hospital; however, her parents decided to take her to Trinity Hospital, a nearby private facility, for treatment.

Regrettably, Toyin’s parents left her with the burden of medical bills after she underwent a Caesarean Section (CS).

When Vanguard visited the hospital, Dr. Bryian spoke about the situation, explaining that the hospital chose to keep Toyin until her outstanding bill was settled.

Dr. Bryian clarified that Toyin, whose card name is Toyin Joshua, was transferred to Trinity Hospital from Ekuigbo Health Centre. She was brought in by a man and woman, along with others claiming to be her parents and relatives, and they presented a referral letter, possibly intended for Ughelli Central Hospital.

Dr. Bryian, who was in the theatre room at the time, informed them to go to the referred hospital and even wrote them a new referral letter. However, the individuals who brought her began begging and crying, urging him to attend to her.

Dr. Bryian hesitated to treat her as she was already in a comatose state. He informed them that her condition was critical, as she had experienced seizures and had eclampsia due to high blood pressure.

Despite said despite his initial reluctance, he eventually attended to the pregnant teenager and saved her life.