A Nigerian woman who wasn’t allowed into the United States is indebted to the United Kingdom’s national health services for more than £500,000 following her delivery of quadruplets.
The woman identified only as Priscilla said she intended to give birth in Chicago after her doctor said Nigerian hospitals do not have the “facilities to cater for the children.”
The US denied Priscilla entry because she could not provide proof that she can take care of her medical care.
The 43-year-old is currently staying at a hostel run by a charity and is unable to afford the bill.
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Her husband is in Nigeria, and cannot come to Britain to help take care of her, as he does not have enough money for a visa or the flight.
Priscilla’s contractions started as she was mid-flight from Chicago to Heathrow, and she was rushed to the hospital as soon as it landed.
Tragically, one of her babies died immediately, while another, named Deborah, died a few days later.
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Hospital staff estimate that the total bill for the highly complex birth and the care of the babies — of which only two have survived — is already more than £500,000 (about N193 million).
Priscilla, who was warned by Terry Facey, the overseas visitor manager, of the high treatment costs, said: “I didn’t plan to come here.”
“It’s only money. Money can’t buy life. The last bill I had was £331,000 but – even if I worked every day – I would never earn that much money. My kids are priceless.|
Facey, who has been working at the trust for 12 years, said, “Those invoices are going to be huge … 20 grand a week for each baby [in intensive care].
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“We will gently push forward and do what we have to do, we’re governed by the rules and regulations. They seem a bit fruitless at times.”
3 comments
Americans did not want the quadruplets to be USA citizens,so non affordable hospital bill reasons were used to reject their Nigerian mother entry into USA. Now that the two surviving children of the Nigerian mother in Britain may be British citizens by birth, their hospital bills may be paid by UK’s health ministry , but Nigeria need build standard hospitals for future quadruplet births and others.Congrats to their mother for the safe delivery.
Both she and her hubby really dont deserve sympathy, you dont have money for USA and you dont have money for UK(amid BREXIT). Terrible decision they have both made, were they intended to b smuggled into USA, UK? How come she traveled without her hubby or anyone accompanied her? They should be held with her accomplice to entry into UK, USA for the bills. No hospitals in Nigeria they claim but people get delivered of babies herein, how does it happen? My one kobo piece
You are just being silly!