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  • Enugu hospital detains mother, triplets over N352,350 delivery bill

    Enugu hospital detains mother, triplets over N352,350 delivery bill

    A nursing mother, Mrs Joan Orajiobi and her triplets have been detained in a private hospital, Praise and Grace Hospital and Maternity, Enugu, over the family’s inability to pay delivery bill of N352,350.

    The Orajiobis welcomed the birth of the triplets- two girls and a boy on new year day. They have, however, not been able to take their bundle of joy home since then.

    The family hails from Nnewi, Anambra State.

    A report by NAN noted that Orajiobi, who lives at Ologo Quarters, Uwani Enugu, said she had been discharged since January 8 but was held back by the hospital due to the family’s inability to complete the hospital bill.

    She said the hospital billed them a total of N482, 350, but that her husband was only able to pay N130, 000, leaving behind a  balance of N352, 350.

    “The bill amounted to that because I gave birth through Caesarean Section (CS).

    “I am a hairdresser. I have two girls already before this pregnancy came in May, but I never knew I was pregnant with triplets until the scan which showed that l was carrying twins.

    “I am pleading to Nigerians, organisations especially the governors of Enugu and Anambra states, to come to my rescue and assist us with financial support. I want to go home and take care of my children.

    “Anybody that is touched by our condition can reach and assist us through my husband’s Access Account Number 0043854232, Account Name : Nchekwube Orajiobi C. and his WhatsApp 08065846537,” she pleaded.

    Read Also: My triplets always ask me why I can’t walk – Yinka Ayefele

    She added that she was always touched seeing other patients that came after them leaving the hospital while they were held because they could not pay.

    The husband, Mr Cornelius Orajiobi, a trader, said they both hailed from Obiofia in Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

    He said he was excited to have triplets but regretted that it would be difficult for him and his wife to take care of the babies in terms of feeding.

    “Nigerians should please assist us because this gift is bigger than what we can cater for alone.

    “The N130,000 I deposited came from friends and well-wishers while I borrowed some.

    “Apart from the medical bill, I need what I will use to bring up these kids,” he pleaded.

    The Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Shedrack Emeribe, had told NAN that he operated on Orajiobi without a deposit from the family.

    He added that it was after four days of the operation that her husband made a deposit of N60,000 before making it up to N130,000.

  • Enugu hospital gets latest MRI machine

    Amidst deteriorating health conditions of Nigerians, the Federal Government has been called upon to make the national health insurance scheme accessible to all Nigerians without hindrances.

    Inaugurating a world-class Signa Explorer 1.5 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) diagnostic machine, the Chief Medical Director of Memfys Hospital, Enugu, Prof. Sam Ohaegbulam, said his plea had become necessary as the poverty situation in the country had made it difficult for most Nigerians to pay for their medical treatment.

    Ohaegbulam stated that the hospital which also marked its 17th anniversary, invested on the 16 channels model, the highest grade in the country which global experts had confirmed would be capable of performing the advanced protocols they needed for accurate diagnosis.

    According to the renowned neurosurgeon, “this 1.5T MRI will now help us to introduce sequences and protocols that were hitherto impossible, resulting in improved image quality, faster scanning and yet more patient comfort, it will tremendously expand the scope of service with even the capability for whole body screening for cancer without exposing the patient to radiation”.

    While re-affirming the commitment of the management to the growth of tertiary education in the country, the medical director noted that the new machine would also facilitate the training, research and advanced medical care, adding that without any external financial support, Memfys hospital had contributed wholly or partially to the training of 25 of the 80 neurosurgeons in Nigeria, a feat only exceeded by the University College Hospital, (UCH), Ibadan.

    Ohaegbulam expressed joy with the progress recorded by the hospital so far, stressing that as the only private institution in West Africa that has full accreditation for Neurosurgical training by both the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, NPMCN and the West Africa College of Surgeons (WACS), “the sky would only be our starting point”. The medical surgeon also praised the GE Healthcare led by Mr. Kelechi Ekeledo for persevering and delivering the machine on time despite several challenges.

    He further disclosed that as part of its social responsibility and to give back to society, the hospital under its SHEPPAD project, holds free medical consultations every last Thursday of the month, adding that participants of the medical outreach benefit from discounted head CT scans if required.

    Apart from offering neurosurgery residency training for medical doctors from different parts of the country, Memfys hospital provides services in Neurosurgery, Neurology, Paediatrics and Radiology.

    The chairman of the occasion, Prof. Shekarau Abubakar Aku, said the acquisition of the Signa Explorer MRI model by Memfys Hospital, Enugu, was a big boost to healthcare in the country and commended the founder, Prof. Sam Ohaegbulam, for the great feat despite the bad economic climate.

    Aku who is the chairman, governing board, Nigeria National Merit Award, Abuja, described the 17th anniversary of Memfys hospital as a celebration of excellence.

    Also speaking, the chairman, Nigeria Medical Association, Enugu State, Dr. Ike Okwesili, explained that the new 1.5T MRI machine would facilitate healthcare delivery in the country, stressing that with the facilities available, Memfys Hospital had now emerged as the leading centre for radiology and medical imaging in Nigeria.

    The historic event was attended by the cream of the medical profession and the clergy, prominent among them were the CMD National Orthopaedic Hospital Enugu, Dr. Cajethan Nwadinigwe; CMD Mother of Christ Specialist hospital Enugu, Rev. Sister Dr. Ezechukwu Pascalina; Dr. Mike Ezenyirioha of Julius Memorial Hospital Enugu; Prof. Moses Mgbo of Hansa clinic; and CMD Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital Parklane, Prof H. Onah, among others.