Kwara: Foundation pays medical bill for new mom detained two weeks after delivery

A mother, Mrs Blessing Alfred, who was retained at a hospital in Ilorin, Kwara state capital for 17 days for being unable to balance up her medical bills after she gave birth, has got her bills settled by a group, the Well Being Foundation Africa (WBFA). 

Mrs Alfred gave birth on April 9, 2024, through Caesarian Session (CS) which costs N350,000 but was only able to pay N250,000.

The foundation on Thursday paid N150,000 balance to the hospital account as balance of the CS and additional services incurred during her period of staying back.

An additional N50,000 was sent to Mrs Alfred’s account for upkeep.

Speaking with journalists, the new mom said that she was not aware that she would give birth through CS because previous scans had shown the baby was in a good position.

”The baby’s position has been alright according to scan not until the 39th week that I was told it has changed.

”I have been helpless since because I do not know where to get money after what we have been able to raise.

”My husband had to come down from Lagos, but he had to return yesterday to still go and look for money.

”That is what made me cry out for help because my older kids of 12 and 4 years old are with a neighbour and I got to know that they are not doing well there,” she said.

Mrs Alfred thanked WBFA for the unexpected gesture because according to her, ”I thought it was a joke, not until they stepped in now”.

WBFA Lead Midwife, Mrs Patricia Komolafe, said that the gesture was part of the foundation’s efforts at reducing maternal mortality to the barest minimum.

”We got to know of her predicament through the WhatsApp platform we created for pregnant women and mothers under our Mama Care programme, and we swung into action immediately.

”Our Mama Care programme is targeted at pregnant women and children to care for them and ensure their well being,” she said. 

Mrs Komolafe, however, enjoined Nigerians that are well-to-do to add offsetting bills such as these in their philanthropic acts.

She said people should set a certain percentage of money aside to offset bills of indigent patients.