A plea has gone to the human rights community, the media and public spirited individuals to come to the rescue of a grandmother and child who survived after the mother died shortly after delivery.
According to a statement released by the family on Saturday, the deceased, Mrs. Chiamaka aged 36 registered for antenatal at the Meridian Hospital, Ikwerre Road, Port Harcourt, but was referred to the D-Line main branch of the hospital when she suddenly developed premature labor at seven months.
The statement said after the premature delivery, she succumbed to excess bleeding and died while the child was placed in an incubator at the intensive care unit for four months and survived.
“However, upon discharge, the hospital issued a bill of ₦6 million an amount the bereaved and now grieving family could only manage to pay N1,4 million, leaving a balance of N4.6 million.
“Since then, for over one year and one month now, the hospital has refused to release the baby and the child’s maternal grandmother, who was the caregiver during the baby’s admission.
“All pleas from the baby’s father for a structured, instalment-based payment plan have been flatly rejected.
“The hospital continues to hold the baby and the grandmother against their will, a practice that not only raises serious ethical and legal concerns, but also represents a gross violation of their human rights.
“The condition in which the elderly woman and the baby are being kept is inhumane and deplorable.
“This prolonged detention is taking a physical and emotional toll on both of them, especially the child, who is now over a year old and has never experienced life outside the hospital walls
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“The media has over time, proven to be a voice for the voiceless and a force for justice. I respectfully request that your reputable media platform investigate and shed light on this issue.
“We believe that media exposure will not only pressure the hospital into releasing this innocent child and his grandmother but also inspire compassionate Nigerians and organizations who may wish to offer assistance to the family,” the family said.
The statement signed by one Dr. Tari Bozimo, lamented that the situation is not just a financial issue , but a matter of human dignity, justice, and compassion.
“I would be deeply grateful if your team could look into this matter with the urgency and humanity it demands.
“Please, help us bring hope, justice, and freedom to this family that has already suffered so much,” she pleaded.
