According to a news report from Nigerian Tribune, Mrs Blessing Alfred, a mother in Ilorin, Kwara state, found relief after 17 days of being held at a local hospital due to unsettled medical bills following her recent childbirth. The Well Being Foundation Africa (WBFA) stepped in to cover her outstanding expenses.

Mrs Alfred, who underwent a Caesarean Section (CS) on April 9, 2024, incurred a total bill of N350,000, of which she had managed to pay only N250,000.

On Thursday, the WBFA facilitated the settlement of the remaining N150,000 directly to the hospital, covering the cost of the CS and additional services during her stay. Additionally, an extra N50,000 was transferred to Mrs Alfred's account for her upkeep.

Speaking with journalists, the new mom said that she was not aware that she would give birth through CS because previous scans had shown the baby was in a good position.

”The baby's position has been alright according to scan not until the 39th week that I was told it has changed.

”I have been helpless since because I do not know where to get money after what we have been able to raise.

”My husband had to come down from Lagos, but he had to return yesterday to still go and look for money.

”That is what made me cry out for help because my older kids of 12 and 4 years old are with a neighbour and I got to know that they are not doing well there,” she said.

Mrs Alfred thanked WBFA for the unexpected gesture because according to her, ”I thought it was a joke, not until they stepped in now”.

WBFA Lead Midwife, Mrs Patricia Komolafe, said that the gesture was part of the foundation's efforts at reducing maternal mortality to the barest minimum.

”We got to know of her predicament through the WhatsApp platform we created for pregnant women and mothers under our Mama Care programme, and we swung into action immediately.

”Our Mama Care programme is targeted at pregnant women and children to care for them and ensure their well being,” she said.

Mrs Komolafe, however, enjoined Nigerians that are well-to-do to add offsetting bills such as these in their philanthropic acts.

She said people should set a certain percentage of money aside to offset bills of indigent patients.