Intervention Enables Discharge of Mother and Child, Reinforces Commitment to Maternal and Child Healthcare
The Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Edo State, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, has settled hospital bills exceeding ₦1 million to facilitate the discharge of a premature baby and the child’s mother from Modic Medical Centre, Airport Road, Benin City.
The intervention was carried out through her pet project, the Better Life Empowerment and Care Foundation (BeLiEF & Care Foundation), as part of efforts to improve maternal and child healthcare across Edo State.
The financial support covered the cost of specialised medical care for the newborn, who had been placed in an incubator following a preterm birth.
Mrs. Anani was represented by the Chief Protocol Officer in the Office of the First Lady, Mrs. Mabel Obetoh, who said no mother or child should be denied lifesaving medical care because of financial constraints.
She noted that maternal and child health remains one of the Foundation’s priority intervention areas and reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with healthcare institutions across the state to provide timely assistance to vulnerable women and children facing critical medical challenges.
According to her, the initiative aligns with the healthcare objectives of Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo’s SHINE Agenda.
The beneficiary, Miss Isaac Christianah, a 24-year-old mother living with sickle cell disorder, said financial hardship had prevented her from paying the accumulated hospital bills, leaving her and her premature baby stranded at the hospital.
She expressed gratitude to Mrs. Anani for the intervention, describing the gesture as a lifeline that restored hope to her family during a difficult period.
The Office of the First Lady said the intervention reflects its continued commitment to supporting vulnerable families and complementing the Edo State Government’s efforts to build a more inclusive, compassionate and accessible healthcare system.
