12th January, 2024
By Alex Enebeli
A mother of newly-born triplets in Enugu, Mrs Joan Orajiobi, and her new babies have been unable to go home since she gave birth to the bundles of joy – two girls and a boy on New Year’s day over inability to pay the hospital delivery bill of N352,350.
Orajiobi was discharged on January 8, but she and her babies are being held at Praise and Grace Hospital and Maternity, Enugu, where she was delivered of the triplets because of the inability of her husband to pay the N352,350 delivery bill.
The mother of triplets, a native of Nnewi in Anambra State living at Ologo Quarters, Uwani Enugu confirmed her ordeal in an interview on Friday.
According to her, while she had been discharged on January 8, the hospital did not allow her and her babies to go home due to their inability to complete the hospital bill.
Orajobi said the total bill of the hospital was N482,350, but her husband was only able to pay N130,000, the remaining balance of N352,350.
She said the bill was high because she gave birth to the triplets through a Caesarean Section.
“The bill amounted to that because I gave birth through Caesarian Section (CS).
“I am a hairdresser. I had 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 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.
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.
When contacted, the Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Shedrack Emeribe said 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 deposit of N60,000 before making it up to N130,000.
He explained that all the things they were requested for the delivery were not provided, stressing that the hospital provided it for them.
“I told the husband to make initial deposit of N150,000 but he never paid a dime till few days after CS. But I have to save those lives,” he said.
He said that the bill of N482, 350 included surgery, theatre, drug fees and Hospital Services. (NAN)