A private hospital in Osun State has come under public attention following reports that it is detaining a newborn baby over an unpaid medical bill estimated at N700,000. The incident has generated public concern and renewed discussions about patients’ rights and medical ethics in Nigeria.

The case involves a young mother who reportedly experienced serious medical complications during childbirth, leading to extended hospital care for both her and the baby. After treatment was completed and the newborn was declared medically stable, the hospital allegedly refused to discharge the child, insisting that the outstanding bill must be settled first.

Sources say the family has already paid a significant amount for medical services but has been unable to raise the remaining balance due to financial hardship.

Relatives of the mother have appealed for understanding, stating that the continued stay of the newborn in the hospital has placed emotional and psychological strain on the family.

The hospital management is reported to have justified its position by pointing to past experiences where patients left without paying their medical bills. According to the management, unpaid debts affect the hospital’s ability to operate and provide services to other patients.

The situation has attracted criticism from members of the public and human rights advocates, who argue that holding patients, particularly newborns, over unpaid bills is unethical and contrary to basic human rights principles. Some legal observers have also suggested that such actions may conflict with existing laws and professional medical standards.

As public reaction continues to grow, there have been calls for the Osun State Government and relevant health authorities to step in, facilitate the release of the newborn, and address systemic issues that allow such incidents to occur.

The case has once again drawn attention to the broader challenges facing Nigeria’s healthcare system, especially the financial burden on families and limited access to affordable healthcare.

The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory Administration has commended the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, for the implementation of the union’s demands.

The President of ARD-FCTA, Dr. George Ebong, commended the minister during an outreach at Durumi Area 1 Internally Displaced Persons Camp.

He said despite numerous challenges for doctors in the FCT, the minister has been able to implement some of the demands, and urged the FCTA to quickly implement the outstanding issues.

Ebong said the association is committed to providing free healthcare services to IDPs as their major duty is to save lives.

“We decided to come to the IDP camp with some drugs, and that’s why we are here.

“We are grateful for every implementation of our demands. Yes, there are fewer times that are still there, but we believe that the Minister will see to that,” he told Ekwutosblog in an interview.

Recall that the FCT doctors had embarked on several strike actions to press home their demands, including improved welfare.

ARD-FCTA suspended its latest strike recently pending full implementation of outstanding demands by the FCTA.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has issued a public alert on the growing circulation of substandard and unregistered edible oils across markets in Nigeria.

In a notice released on X on Tuesday, tagged ‘Public Alert No. 039/2025’, the agency warned that an influx of unsafe and illegally imported oils is spreading nationwide.

According to NAFDAC, the alert follows a report from Lebruni Agro Limited — a registered local producer of hygienically processed soybean (Liorga) and palm kernel oils — which raised concerns after an internal market survey revealed several questionable brands in circulation. These brands include FINO, PUR, OKI, SUPER DELICIEX, and LA JONIC, all allegedly supported by warehousing networks that aid illegal distribution.

NAFDAC said the adulterated products, whose sources and production standards are unknown, are being smuggled into the country and sold openly under various brand names.

NAFDAC said the oils have reportedly flooded markets in cities such as Onitsha, Aba, Owerri, Warri, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Ikom, Calabar, Lagos, Kano, Kebbi, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Yola, Gombe, Bauchi, Makurdi, Lafia, and border communities like Idiroko.

The agency stressed that the products carry no traceable manufacturer details and do not have NAFDAC registration numbers, confirming they are not listed in its official database.