The Edo State Government, through the Office of the First Lady, has paid medical bills amounting to over ₦500,000 for two children whose parents were unable to settle their hospital charges at St. Philomena Catholic Hospital, Benin City.
The intervention, coordinated by the Office of the First Lady under the leadership of Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, followed reports that the children were being held at the hospital after treatment due to unpaid bills.
One of the beneficiaries, eight-year-old Miracle Eze, was admitted on November 6, 2025, and treated for cerebral malaria before being discharged on November 14. Upon learning of his situation, Mrs. Anani directed her Chief Protocol Officer, Pastor (Mrs.) Mabel Obetoh, to visit the hospital and assess the case.
During the visit, another case involving six-year-old Tarnongu Great was identified. The child had suffered a critical seizure, and his mother, Sewuese Aingba, who was widowed a month earlier, was unable to pay the medical bill, resulting in a delay in their discharge.
Speaking on the intervention, Mrs. Anani reaffirmed the Edo State Government’s commitment to the welfare of children, expressing her desire for the affected families to reunite for the festive season.
“I am deeply touched by the stories of Miracle and Great. It is my heartfelt wish that these precious children return home to their families in time for Christmas. The Edo State Government remains committed to supporting the wellbeing of children and ensuring they receive the care and attention they deserve,” she said.
The Administrator of St. Philomena Catholic Hospital, Rev. Fr. Jerome Idebe, commended Mrs. Anani for the prompt settlement of the bills, noting that the hospital often struggles with unpaid charges from patients who fail to honour payment commitments.
He disclosed that the missionary hospital employs over 427 staff members, making it one of the major private employers in the state despite receiving no government subvention. He appealed for continued government support for healthcare facilities and educational institutions run by the mission.
Parents of the children, Mrs. Juliet Eze and Mrs. Sewuese Aingba, expressed profound gratitude to the Office of the First Lady, describing the intervention as timely and compassionate. They said the gesture had brought relief and joy to their families, while reaffirming the Edo State Government’s commitment to child welfare.
