In a sad turn of events, Elizabeth Davis, a woman who lost her infant child after a premature delivery at Ajeromi General Hospital in Lagos, has been detained by hospital administration for failing to pay a N323,000 medical bill.
This occurrence stands in sharp contrast to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu's directive for state hospitals to provide free delivery services, revealing a significant disparity between policy and practice.
The Lagos State government earlier established a program aimed at reducing the financial burden on pregnant women by offering free prenatal care and delivery services, including cesarean sections.
This policy was part of a larger effort to alleviate the suffering caused by the removal of fuel subsidies. Despite these clear orders, Ajeromi General Hospital's treatment of Davis and her family not only violated protocol but also added additional pain to the family's devastating loss.
The nightmare began when Davis was admitted for a preterm birth, which led to the baby being placed in an incubator. Unfortunately, the baby died shortly afterward, but the hospital kept Davis and withheld the infant's body, insisting that the family pay a huge medical cost. Davis's husband, Michael Bassey, made a partial payment and turned to the public for help.
The state's Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, has committed to look into the situation, suggesting there is a gap between the state's health policies and how they are implemented.
