A 21-year-old first-time mother, Iqmat Yinusa, has cried out for help after watching her newborn son grow inside a hospital cot, a tiny space he has never been allowed to leave because of an unpaid medical bill running into hundreds of thousands of naira.

It was reports that for more than three months, the young mother and her baby have remained at Lifeline Paediatric Hospital, Alekuwodo, Osogbo, Osun State, since August, unable to go home after treatment was completed, following the family’s inability to settle the hospital charges.

Yinusa, who hails from Iree, Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State, shared the harrowing experience of her family with The PUNCH.

With hurried steps and visible anxiety, Yinusa approached journalists, and before she could be asked a question, the young woman knelt down in greeting and pleaded for help.

“Ekaasan sir (Good afternoon sir). Please help me. My child and I have been here since August this year, and we’re not allowed to go because we couldn’t pay the hospital bill,” she said, her voice shaking with emotion.

Three Days of Labour, Emergency CS

Yinusa narrated that her ordeal began after she went into labour and spent three days at two different hospitals, hoping for a normal delivery.

She was first admitted to a hospital in Iree before being transferred to another private hospital in Iragbiji, where doctors later advised a Caesarean section due to complications.

“I was shocked when I was told I would undergo a CS. We didn’t expect it, although I had been in labour for three days. I was first admitted in Iree, then transferred to Iragbiji, where I spent two days before the procedure. It was a painful experience,” she recalled.

According to her, the baby became weak before delivery and was rushed out immediately after birth for specialist care at Lifeline Paediatric Hospital in Osogbo.

“My baby was rushed out of the hospital after delivery. I was told he was weak because of the labour stress and needed urgent medical attention. He was taken to Lifeline Hospital in Osogbo,” she said.

She added that being separated from her newborn at birth was traumatic. Yinusa said, “Despite being in pain, I wanted to stay with him. Being separated from my baby at birth was harrowing. I kept praying for a quick recovery and divine intervention so I could be with him.”

Mother Battles Health Complications

Yinusa’s health deteriorated after delivery, delaying her reunion with her child for about a month. She said she was stabilised with two pints of blood and several sachets of intravenous fluids.

By the time she was strong enough to join her baby at the hospital, the family’s finances had already been badly stretched.

“All I wanted was to be near my child,” she said.

At Lifeline Hospital, the baby was placed on oxygen for more than a week. Recalling her first meeting with her son after weeks of separation, Yinusa broke down in tears.

“I burst into tears when I saw where he was placed. It was such an emotional moment for me. I held him tight for the first time after a month. The hospital staff had been taking care of him, feeding him with baby formula. May no mother experience what I am going through,” she prayed.

She said breastfeeding was initially difficult as a first-time mother but improved over time.

“By the time I joined him, he had completed treatment, so my role was mainly cleaning and feeding him,” Yinusa explained.

Restricted Access Due To Unpaid Bills

It was reports that despite being allowed to stay in the hospital, Yinusa said her interaction with her baby was restricted because of the unpaid bill.

She explained that she could feed and clean her child, but was not allowed to hold him for long, for fear of being sent away by hospital staff.

“Till this moment, I haven’t been able to take my son home. I also can’t hold him for too long because of the hospital rules,” she said tearfully.

The young mother lamented that her baby, since birth, has never experienced life outside the hospital ward.

“Since birth, my baby has not seen the outside world. He has been confined to a small baby pod. The space is cramped, and rashes have appeared all over his body,” she said.

Explaining why her son had not been discharged, Yinusa said the hospital bill had become overwhelming for the family.

“We are owing the hospital. We couldn’t afford the bill, which is running to about ₦700,000. All the treatment amounted to over ₦800,000, but we made a deposit of ₦150,000 initially,” she explained.

She added that they had remained in the hospital since the first week of September, even after her baby completed treatment.

“I’m not blaming the hospital management; they have tried for us. I am appealing to well-meaning Nigerians to come to our aid,” the mother said.

‘I Am Exhausted’ – Father Speaks

The baby’s father, Sodiq, who spoke with journalists on the phone, said the experience had left him emotionally and financially drained.

The well-known moulder disclosed that he had spent over ₦900,000 on the treatment of his wife and child.

“This situation has drained me emotionally and financially,” he said.

According to him, his son was admitted on August 24 and completed about 15 days of treatment, but was not released due to the unpaid bill.

“My son has been detained for over three months because we couldn’t pay the hospital bill. He has spent nearly three months at the hospital now,” Sodiq.

Sodiq further explained the financial burden the family had borne since August.

“My wife underwent surgery to deliver the baby. She received two pints of blood transfusion. We deposited ₦150,000 before treatment started. The baby was on oxygen for eight days,” he said.

He added, “I spent ₦9,000 every four days on baby food. That’s almost ₦20,000 per week. We ran several tests for my wife and the baby, which cost a lot. I mould and fix well rings, but there is no patronage now. Nobody is willing to give me a loan.”

Appealing for public assistance, he said, “Please help us. Even if we manage to pay the bill now, what will we eat afterwards?”

Findings by reporters revealed that Yinusa’s experience is not isolated, as at least two other mothers were previously detained at the same hospital for over two months due to unpaid medical bills.

They were, however, released a few weeks ago after funds were raised to settle their bills.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

The eleven Nigerian military personnel, including two pilots and nine officers, who were detained earlier this week in Burkina Faso, remain in custody, Naija News has learnt.

Confirming the continued detention, Mali’s Minister of Security and Civil Protection, Daoud Aly Mohammedine, told the BBC that investigations were ongoing and would be concluded before any further decisions were made.

He added, “On the instructions of the Heads of State, the air and anti-aircraft defence of the Confederate airspace has been placed on maximum alert. In line with the declaration of the College of Heads of State dated December 22, 2024, it is now authorized to neutralize any aircraft that violates the confederate airspace.”

Meanwhile, Nigerian authorities say they are intensifying diplomatic efforts to secure the release of the detained personnel and the return of the Nigerian Air Force C-130 military aircraft.

It was reports that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Kimiebi Ebienfa, in an interaction with journalists, said discussions had begun between Nigeria and Burkina Faso.

“The objective is to secure the release of the crew and the return of the aircraft. For us, the diplomatic route is the priority. Discussions are ongoing, but we have never had a date for a resolution,” Ebienfa said.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

President Bola Tinubu has once again debunked claims of a Christian genocide in Nigeria, insisting that no religious group, Christian or Muslim, is being deliberately targeted for extermination.

Speaking on Friday in Abuja at the opening of the 8th Biennial Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fatih Society (NASFAT), themed “Building Resilience in a Changing World: The Role of Faith and Community,” the President stressed that insecurity in the country is not rooted in religious persecution.

Represented by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, Tinubu said Nigeria’s current security challenges are largely driven by historical injustices, economic deprivation, criminality, and extremism.

“In recent times, the Federal Government and other persons of goodwill have had to address unfounded allegations. These allegations are not only false but harmful, and capable of inflaming passions and disrupting the peaceful coexistence we continue to build as a nation,” he said.

The President’s remarks come weeks after former U.S. President Donald Trump alleged that Christians in Nigeria were being targeted and persecuted, warning that the U.S. could consider military intervention if the Nigerian government failed to act.

Trump had labelled Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern,” sparking widespread reactions within and beyond Nigeria’s borders.

In response, the Federal Government dispatched a high-level delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to engage U.S. lawmakers and provide clarity on the nation’s security situation.

President Tinubu reaffirmed that the Nigerian government does not support or carry out any policy that targets religious groups.

“As President, I reiterate with all sense of responsibility and fidelity to the Constitution that there is no Christian genocide in Nigeria, and there is no Muslim genocide in Nigeria. What we have is terrorism driven by criminality and extremism—challenges we are working tirelessly to overcome,” he stated.

He noted that both Christians and Muslims have suffered from terrorism and continue to stand together in condemning violence from all quarters.

The President emphasised the Federal Government’s commitment to national unity, religious tolerance, and the protection of every Nigerian life.

“We must, therefore, reject narratives that seek to divide us, whether they come from within or outside our borders. We must not allow internal or external forces to sow discord or promote dangerous stereotypes about our beloved nation,” he added.

Tinubu praised NASFAT for promoting national unity and peaceful coexistence.

“Your teachings on moderation, tolerance and service to humanity provide pathways for resolving conflicts and deepening national unity. Let us continue to promote moderation, peaceful coexistence and respect for our diversity. Our differences are a divine design, not a source of conflict,” he said.

Delivering the keynote address, Islamic scholar Dr Nurudeen Lemu urged Nigerian Muslims to remain steadfast in faith and hopeful amid the country’s challenges, stressing the importance of unity, patience, and resilience.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM