The search party has been launched by the management of Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilisan Remo, for the children of Mr. Maurice Okpenyong, an 81-year-old patient who has been left abandoned at their medical facility.
According to a statement released by Dr. Joshua Suleiman, the Director of Communication at the university, and disclosed to reporters on Saturday.
Okpenyong, a native of Obot Akara Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State, was brought to the hospital by his children (a man and a woman) who have refused to pick him up after he was discharged in December 2023.
Upon arrival, the patient had a diagnosis of Repeat Suprapublic Cystostomy.
By the time he was discharged on December 20, 2023, the medical bill amounted to N399,320 but his prolonged stay has inflated the bills to N1,279,350.
The statement mentioned, “The hospital management is unaware of the whereabouts of the patient’s son, Lawrence, and daughter.”
“Efforts, in collaboration with local law enforcement, to locate his son at his known addresses have been fruitless,” the hospital management reported.
Initially, the outstanding bill upon first discharge was N399,320 on December 20, 2023.
“However, the refusal of his children to collect him and his extended stay in the hospital have escalated his total bill to N1,279,350 as of March 20, 2024.”
“At the time of this report, only N180,000 has been settled by the patient or his children.”
The public disclosure of Okpenyong’s situation was made by the hospital’s management to prompt his family to take him back home, as the hospital can no longer ensure his well-being.
The hospital also noted that besides being uncooperative, the patient has displayed abusive behavior, despite the hospital’s continued care for him.
“At times, he removes his urine bag and urinates on the floor, causing an unpleasant odor. This is why he is being closely monitored to prevent any attempt to leave,” the hospital further added.