In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Elizabeth Davis, a distraught mother who tragically lost her premature baby at Ajeromi General Hospital in Ajegunle, Lagos State, finds herself detained by hospital management over unpaid medical bills totaling N323,000.
Despite the state government’s directive to provide free antenatal care and childbirth services, including cesarean sections, to residents in need, Davis’s ordeal highlights a stark contrast in reality.
According to reports by Findwhosabi , both Davis and her deceased infant remain confined within the hospital’s walls due to her husband’s inability to settle the outstanding medical expenses.
In an emotional interview, Davis recounted her harrowing experience, stating, “I have been here since February 29, 2024. I gave birth in the hospital… But I don’t know what happened when they suddenly told me… that she was having a fever… By 3 am, my baby had given up.”
The situation worsened as the hospital demanded the hefty sum of N353,000 before releasing Davis, who mourned the loss of her child while trapped within the hospital’s confines.
Meanwhile, Michael Bassey, Davis’s husband, expressed his frustration, revealing that despite losing their baby, the hospital refused to release the infant’s remains until the medical bill was settled.
Bassey lamented, “After we lost the baby, the hospital told me… I should get a clearance of N323,000… They said if I didn’t pay the money, they would not allow me to bury my daughter.”
In response to the alarming situation, the state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, has pledged to investigate the matter further, offering a glimmer of hope for the beleaguered family.
As public outrage mounts over the hospital’s actions, the plight of Elizabeth Davis serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for reform in healthcare accessibility and affordability for all citizens.
Stay tuned for updates as this heartbreaking saga unfolds, and let’s hope justice prevails for the Davis family in their time of need. 🕊️💔