8th December, 2023
By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu
Mrs Imabong William, who has been admitted to a hospital treating serious burn injuries she sustained after her landlord identified as Amaka Okonkwo poured hot water mixed with pepper on her over a disagreement on rent at Enugwu-Ukwu in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra has cried out for urgent help to Governor Chukwuma Soludo and his wife for help to continue his treatment.
While the landlord has been locked up over her action by the police since August 17, William has been languishing at Zion Hospital, Nawfia, in Njikoka Local Government Area where she has been receiving treatment for scald burn pain.
However, the hospital had stopped giving her medications for over a month due to her accumulated medical bills. This, the woman said, was because she owed the hospital the sum of N650,000 and could not afford to pay.
Williams also revealed that she called officials of the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare who brought her to the hospital, but they said they cannot help her.
“But the woman who answered the call said the ministry does not pay medical bills; that their job is to prosecute the offender. She told me to go and source for funds on my own.
“I have been in the hospital for over three months, and though I’m getting healed gradually, I still feel pain. The Doctor brought my bill last month, and it has accumulated to N650,000.
“I’m a trader, I do not have money anywhere to pay the bill, which was why the hospital stopped giving me any medications and treatment.
“I called the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare because they brought me to the hospital, and they have not come to check on me since then.
“But the woman who answered the call said the ministry does not pay medical bills; that their job is to prosecute the offender. She told me to go and source for funds on my own.
“I’m really confused. Even to feed has been difficult and my two-year-old baby who is staying with me in the hospital is not safe because she can contract disease here,” she said.
William appealed to the state governor, his wife and other well-meaning Nigerians to come to her aid.
“I appeal to Gov. Chukwuma Soludo and his wife, Dr Nonye Soludo, the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, and well-meaning individuals to come to my aid.
“A lot of people have advised me to meet the wife of the governor. Some advised that I should write, but truly I am not finding it easy.
“Whatever the government feels that it can do in order to assist is welcome, my health and life depend on it,” she lamented.
A staff of the hospital who pleaded anonymity told journalists that they moved William from the private ward where she was being treated to a maternity ward and that they stopped her medication to avoid accumulation of her medical bill. (NAN)