By Okechukwu Okechukwu
Comrade Dede Uzor A. Uzor of the Human Rights,Liberty Access And Peace Defenders Foundation (HURIDE), recently visited some indigent patients at Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital (AE-FUTHA) Abakaliki and offsetted hospital bills for those discharged but had no money to leave.
According to a statement from HURIDE Ebonyi State Chairman, Comrade Sampson Oko Nweke, the group encountered many cases of discharged patients who cannot go home because they cannot pay their respective hospital bills.
"The most pathetic of them is the case of Master Caleb Akpu, a 9yr old first son of his parents. He is from Amasiri Community of Ebonyi State. Early this year, he was diagnosed of Cancerous cancer on the right leg which led to the consequent amputation of the affected leg.
"Meanwhile, from hospital records and mother's testimony, HURIDE gathered that after successful surgery and subsequent treatments, Master Caleb was discharged on 10th of November 2021 but has not been able to go home because his parents cannot afford to offset the remaining hospital bills.
"HURIDE however inquired to know how much the remaining bill was and we were told it was #52,6450 (Fifty two thousand, six hundred and Fifty naira) only. We therefore told Caleb's mother not to worry. We promised them they will soon go home.
"Today 3rd November 2021, HURIDE went back to the hospital and offset the remaining bills through the assistance of HURIDE's national Leadership headed by Dede Uzor A. Uzor. Now, Master Caleb and his mother have happily gone home so that little Caleb can go back to school and as well reunite with family and friends.
"We want to appeal to good spirited Nigerians to come to the rescue of over 15 patients who has been discharged but unable to pay their hospital bills especially at MALE & FEMALE COMPLEX WARD of the hospital," it stated.