Edo: Obaseki Takes Responsibility of 5-Year-Old Victim’s Cancer Treatment

...Clears medical bills of accident victim

Rebecca Ejifoma

Obaseki with one of the Press Bus accident victims, Mrs. Mary Okoro, receiving treatment at UBTH

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, pledged to take responsibility of five years old Freeman Okoro's cancer treatment as he offset medical bills of other persons who suffered various degrees of injuries in a road accident involving a bus attached to the Governor’s Press Unit and two vehicles, in Ugbowo area of Benin City.

The governor took this bold step during his visit to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, where he learnt that one of the victims of the Press Bus, Okoro, who had come for chemotherapy session at UBTH before the unfortunate incident.

In reaction to this, the governor pledged to take responsibility of his cancer treatment and also offset the bill of Freeman’s cousin, who had been held in the hospital for his inability to pay for his treatment.

“I came to see the condition of the victims of the accident myself just as we promised on the day of the accident when the victims were admitted. The state government has taken full responsibility of their medical bills,” he assured the victims.

Some of the victims, as disclosed, are currently on admission, receiving medical care at the UBTH. “We will also make sure we follow up with the full recovery of those who are still being treated for injuries from the accident.”

Meanwhile, Consultant General and Coordinator, Accident and Emergency Department, UBTH, Dr. Nnadi Nwashile, told the Governor that the patients were in stable condition. Adding, he said six persons in the bus were treated and discharged on the day of the accident.

He expressed that the two patients in the hospital – Mrs. Mary Okoro and her son, Freeman Okoro – who were being treated. Mrs. Okoro sustained a fracture on her upper arm and is being attended to by an Orthopaedic doctor. The son will be discharged soon.”

The accident, which occurred on Wednesday March 14 , involved a vehicle attached to the Governor’s Press Unit and two other vehicles. No life was lost.