The Well Being Foundation Africa (WBFA) has paid up a hospital bill of a woman, Mrs Blessing Alfred, who was held back at a hospital for inability to pay her full bill after childbirth.
Alfred gave birth on April 9 through a Caesarian Session (CS), which cost N350,000. She was only able to pay N250,000 and was held back by the hospital for 17 days.
The foundation, on Thursday, paid N150,000 to the hospital as balance for the CS and payment for additional services the woman received while being held by the hospital.
The foundation also gave Alfred additional N50,000 for her upkeep.
Alfred told NAN that she did not know she would give birth through CS, as scans showed that the baby was in a good position.
“The baby’s position had been alright, according to scans, until the 39th week when I was told it changed.
“I had been helpless since because I did not know where to get money after what we were able to raise.
“My husband had to come down from Lagos, but he had to return yesterday to still go and look for money.
“That was what made me to cry out for help because my older kids of 12 and four years are with a neighbour,” she said.
Alfred thanked WBFA for the gesture. “I thought it was a joke until they stepped in.”
WBFA Lead Midwife, Mrs. Patricia Komolafe, said the gesture was part of the foundation’s efforts at reducing maternal mortality to the barest minimum.
“We got to know of her predicament through a WhatsApp platform we created for pregnant women and mothers under our Mama Care programme, and we swung into action.
“Our Mama Care programme is targeted at pregnant women and children, to care for them and ensure their wellbeing,” she said.
Komolafe appealed to rich Nigerians to help the poor. (NAN)
