Copyright tribuneonlineng
Following the intervention of the Rivers State Ministry of Health, a 13-month old baby and grandmother who had been held a private hospital since after birth have reunited with the father Mr Ugochukwu Onyenehigo.The unfortunate mother of baby Miracle passed on shortly after his birth at Le Meridian Hospital Port Harcourt, following complications and the inability of the baby’s father to offset medical bills management of the hospital “detained” the baby and the grandmother for the past one year. Recall that last week, news went viral especially on the social media that 13-month Miracle whose mother passed away in course of birth was held alongside his grandmother for their inability to offset hospital bills running into around ₦4-million. However, on hearing the news the Rivers State Commissioner for Heath, Dr Adaeze Oreh, intervened with the payment of the outstanding bills thus clearing the way for the baby to go home to its family for the first time since after his birth. Dr. Oreh in a statement said the reunion followed the amicable resolution of the matter alongside an officer of the judicial Court for juveniles.She said: “This reunion followed an amicable settlement reached between his father and the hospital as encouraged by the judicial officer of the family court where a case of juvenile abandonment had been filed by the hospital on humanitarian grounds. The agreement was communicated to the court, and the case has now been withdrawn.”In an emotional statement during the mini-sendforth party held for Miracle by the hospital, Mr Onyenehigo, a generator-repair technician, expressed economic difficulties with the repayment of the outstanding hospital bills. Although the agreement between both parties included a repayment plan, the Ministry has at this point waded in to offset the outstanding balance. “The hospital has been asked to submit a report of all outstanding balances to the Ministry of Health by Monday 3rd November 2025. This is to enable the family cope better with the responsibilities of raising a young child”.Oreh, while thanking members who showed interest in the matter, further thanked the state governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara for his support towards the resolution of the matter.
