16-year-old mother, newborn detained over unpaid hospital bill

A 16-year-old mother and her newborn baby boy are being detained at the VRA Hospital in Akosombo in the Eastern Region over an unpaid hospital bill of 2,528.40 Ghana cedis.

The young mother, who became pregnant under difficult circumstances and was abandoned by the teenage father, faced her pregnancy with little support after her sister who she was staying with sacked her from the house.

She has since been accommodated by a good samaritan in the Akosombo community who has been caring for her throughout antenatal.

She was admitted to the VRA Hospital few days ago but complications during labor necessitated a cesarean section.

Fortunately, she successfully delivered a healthy baby boy.

However, the inability to settle the medical bill has left the new mother and her child detained.

Community member, Reindolf Botchway, has launched an appeal for financial support to settle the bill and secure their release.

He said background checks indicate clearly that the young mother is from a very poor family and hence cannot be able to pay the bill.

“We are appealing to the public to show compassion and support this vulnerable young mother. Contributions can be sent to the account number 0553247130 (Reindolf Botchway). Any amount will go a long way to bring relief to this family,” Reindolf Botchway said.