Nigeria’s healthcare system faces a troubling crisis as hospitals unlawfully detain newborns and their mothers over unpaid medical bills. This practice, which disproportionately affects low-income families, raises serious ethical concerns and exposes vulnerable infants to severe health risks. Despite efforts to expand health insurance coverage, gaps in implementation continue to leave many without protection, allowing this issue to persist.
In November 2022, Akpesiri Ojiko found herself in a devastating predicament after giving birth to twins at the Central Hospital in Warri, Delta State. With a lack of bed space, her daughter was transferred to a private facility, Unique Health Medical Centre. When the hospital presented her with a bill of 433,500 naira (approximately $545), Ojiko was unable to pay. As a result, her newborn was detained for seven weeks until partial payments were made, prolonging the family’s distress. This was not an isolated case. In January 2023, another mother, Joan Orajiobi, gave birth to triplets in Enugu and was held at a private hospital alongside her infants over an outstanding bill of 352,350 naira. Their release only came after a government official intervened and settled the debt.
The consequences of such detentions extend far beyond financial hardship. Experts warn that these prolonged hospital stays put newborns at an increased risk of hospital-acquired infections, particularly in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. Professor Tanimola Akande, former National Chairman of the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria, has emphasized the urgent need to address this crisis through expanded health insurance coverage. Without systemic reforms, vulnerable infants will continue to be exposed to preventable medical complications, exacerbating an already fragile public health landscape.
In response to growing concerns, the Nigerian government has taken steps to expand access to healthcare by implementing a national policy mandating health insurance for all citizens. This initiative includes provisions to cover more than 83 million poor and vulnerable individuals who cannot afford premiums. While this represents a significant move toward universal healthcare, experts argue that the program remains in its infancy and requires stronger commitment, resources, and enforcement to ensure its effectiveness. Without adequate funding and oversight, many Nigerians remain uninsured, leaving hospitals with little recourse but to detain patients who cannot pay their bills.
The unlawful detention of newborns and their mothers underscores the broader challenges of Nigeria’s healthcare system, where financial barriers continue to dictate access to essential services. While government efforts to expand insurance coverage offer hope, the reality on the ground remains stark. Until systemic changes take full effect, families will continue to endure distressing situations that no mother or child should ever have to face. Only through sustained advocacy, policy enforcement, and increased investment in healthcare infrastructure can Nigeria put an end to this inhumane practice and ensure that no newborn’s first days are spent in captivity over an unpaid debt.
By Maya Caple