Controversy has trailed the alleged payment of medical bills for Mr Umoru Imokha Abdulahi, whose wife and newborn daughter were detained at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).
Mrs Umoru who had her baby through Caesarean section, was detained by the management of the Hospital for 21 days, over inability to pay ₦330,000 outstanding balance after an initial deposit of ₦200,000.
Following public outcry that trailed the wide publicity of the case, it was reported that the State Governor, Mr. Monday Okoebholo who was represented by his Special Adviser on Health Matters, Precious Ogboru, and Executive Assistant, James Iorkusah, visited both mother and her newborn at UBTH and offset the outstanding bills, and were finally discharged by the Hospital.
But, addressing journalists on Monday in Benin, Umoru said his wife and baby were discharged by the management of UBTH on compassionate ground.
He dismissed reports that the Governor paid the outstanding hopsital bills and facilitated their discharge through the his Special Adviser on Health Matters, Precious Ogboru, and Executive Assistant, James Iorkusah, who claimed to have visited the family at UBTH.
“At no time during my ordeal at the Hospital did I receive any form of assistance from the State Government through the Governor’s Special Adviser on Health Matters, Precious Ogboru, and Executive Assistant, James Iorkusah, who claimed to have visited my family at UBTH.
“My wife does not bear the name ‘Mercy Bassey’ as reported and we never get government attention on account of medical bills of ₦330,000 until UBTH discharged us following public outcry,” he said.
Reliable sources however had it that the monetary assistance Governor Okpebholo approved for the Umorus was di erted tó another indigent patient in Hospital named Mrs Mercy Bassey.
