Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has intervened in the case of a family detained at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) over unpaid medical bills by offsetting the outstanding charges and facilitating their discharge.
The governor, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Health Matters, Precious Ogboru, and Executive Assistant, James Iorkusah, visited the mother and her newborn at UBTH on Friday. He emphasized the state government’s unwavering commitment to the health and welfare of its people, particularly vulnerable groups.
“This intervention is part of the SHINE agenda of the present administration,” Ogboru stated. “As soon as the governor was informed about the case, he directed us to ensure the medical bills were cleared immediately. This is a clear reflection of the compassionate and responsive leadership of Senator Okpebholo.”
Ogboru further revealed that the state government will soon launch a comprehensive health intervention programme to support indigent residents. He noted that some beneficiaries are already being reached even ahead of the official rollout.
The beneficiary, Mr. Innocent Akpan, expressed profound gratitude to the governor for the timely gesture, disclosing that his wife, Mercy Bassy, and their newborn had been held at the hospital for over two weeks due to inability to pay.
Akpan said;“I am filled with joy and appreciation,We’ve been stranded here for weeks. Today, by the grace of God and the governor’s kindness, we are finally going home. May God bless him.”
Also speaking, Dr. Joshua Uwaila, Head of Public Relations and Protocol at UBTH, commended Governor Okpebholo’s prompt action, describing it as a noble display of empathy and people-centred governance.
