Mother of seven, Mrs. Uzoamaka Onu, has been abandoned by her husband at the New Mayor Hospital and Fertility Centre, Nkpor in Anambra State, over a bill of N520,000.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the woman had stayed in the hospital for four months, following the non-payment of the bill.
Uzoamaka, a food vendor from Okpoto in Ishielu Local Government of Ebonyi State, told NAN that her husband abandoned her to her fate.
She said she had lived in the hospital for four months and attempts to reach her husband had failed.
“My husband stopped visiting the hospital after I successfully underwent a surgery on my right breast,” Uzoamaka, 39, said.
She said she did not blame him for absconding because he had suffered a lot since 2013 when symptoms of cancer started manifesting.
“My husband sells rat poison and cannot afford to pay the balance. I think this is why he has run away.
“I appeal to Nigerians to assist me so that I can be discharged.
“My problem began in 2013 when I started experiencing pains in my body, specifically in my lungs.
“I started visiting patent medicine stores for solution, but unfortunately that compounded my problems.
“However, my relations and friends advised me to visit General Hospital, Abakiliki where I was diagnosed with breast cancer,” Uzoamaka said.
She said she had visited the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu and Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) for solution.
The woman said she also went to the New Mayor Hospital and Fertility Centre where she had a successful surgery, leading to the removal of her right breast.
She said N750,000 was the amount charged by the hospital for the surgery, adding that her family paid N230,000, leaving an outstanding balance of N520,000.
The Medical Director, Dr. Ben Ossai, confirmed the incident.
He described Uzoamaka’s case as pathetic.
Ossai said the woman’s right breast was in a deteriorating state and was emitting odour due to the devastation the ailment had caused.
“We performed a surgery on her to remove the affected breast,’’ he said.