Lawrence Ezeh, the Enugu State Commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Technology, demonstrated a compassionate gesture by settling the hospital bill for Mrs. Joan Orajiobi and her newborn triplets, who were detained at a private hospital in Enugu.
Mrs. Orajiobi had given birth to triplets at Praise and Grace Hospital and Maternity in Enugu on New Year’s Day. However, the family faced financial constraints, leading to their detention in the hospital due to unpaid delivery bills. Seeking assistance, Mrs. Orajiobi reached out to Nigerians and organizations for support.
Responding to the plea, Commissioner Ezeh, who is also a parent of triplets, expressed his empathy upon learning about the situation. He recounted, “You know that my wife and I have a set of triplets, two boys and a girl—who are already in secondary school now. So I was touched by the story when I read it on Friday.”
On Saturday, Commissioner Ezeh personally paid the outstanding hospital bill, providing relief for Mrs. Orajiobi and her triplets. Dr. Shedrack Emeribe, the Medical Director of the hospital, confirmed that all the bills had been cleared by the commissioner.
Mrs. Orajiobi and her newborns, two girls and a boy, had been detained since January 8 due to the family’s inability to settle the hospital bills, which amounted to N352,350. The total bill, initially N482,350, was reduced to N352,350 after her husband paid N130,000. The high bill was attributed to the Caesarean section delivery of the triplets.
Expressing gratitude, Mrs. Orajiobi thanked Commissioner Ezeh for his generosity and for coming to their rescue. In addition to the commissioner’s intervention, the family also received cash donations from well-meaning Nigerians to support the well-being of the newborns.