From Michael Egbejule, Benin City

Sequel to a public outcry recently published by The Guardian, the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) has discharged a woman and her newborn held for 21 days over unpaid medical bills.

The father, Mr Umoru Imokha Abdulahi, had on Tuesday appealed to kind-hearted Nigerians and Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, to help in discharging his wife and newborn delivered through a Cesarean Section (CS).

However, yesterday, he expressed gratitude to the media and compassionate Nigerians for their prompt intervention, which led to the UBTH management releasing his wife and baby without any additional financial burden after the initial N200,000 deposit.

The man thanked The Guardian newspaper for making his ordeal public. After 21 days in the hospital ward, the young father appealed for help when his medical bills reached over N530,000, and was unable to take his wife, Mrs Happiness and their baby girl home.

His wife had undergone a Caesarian Section on March 20, 2025, and was discharged on March 27 with an outstanding bill of N380,000. He had managed to pay a deposit of N50,000 before admission and an additional N150,000 after delivery, totalling N200,000. While rallying funds for the part payment lingered, an extra N150,000 was added to him.