Generous Dubai prince pays over GHc589k hospital bill for Nigerian mum stranded with quadruplets
- Dubai's Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has paid for the hospital expenses of a Nigerian mother and her quadruplets
- Suliyat Adulkareem gave birth to the babies, two boys and two girls, at the Latifa Hospital for Women and Children on July 1, 2020
- The mother and newborn were stranded in the country with mounting medical bills after she underwent cesarian section
-The family had no medical insurance and racked up more than GHc589,000 in medical expenses since the quadruplets were born
- The Nigerian community and other nationals in Dubai rallied around them to help raise GHc66,355.00 (around $11,500) to pay part of the bill
- The Crown Prince stepped in to pay the bills after he came across a report highlighting the family's story
Our manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in
Install our latest app for Android and read the best news about Ghana!
The parents of preterm quadruplets receiving special care at Latifa Hospital have been thrown a lifeline by the Crown Prince of Dubai after he pledged to cover their accumulated medical bill.
Tijani Abdulkareem and his wife Suliyat were facing costs of more than AED 400,000 (over GHc623,000) after she gave birth to quadruplets on July 1, 2020.
READ ALSO: Mama has suffered a lot - Handsome Ghanaian twin brothers celebrate mum with 'sweet' photos
Source: UGC
READ ALSO: Stranded Rwandese woman narrates how Kenyan husband eloped with househelp, 2 children
A report by CNN showed the bill accumulated following a cesarian section but the 29-year-old new mom had no health insurance after her hospital cleaning contract ended.
The couple, who expressed their gratitude in a statement, could not hide their joy after Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed promised to cover their bill.
“We would like to express our gratitude on behalf of the family to the UAE leaders, Sheikh Hamdan and the Latifa Women and Children's Hospital," they said.
READ ALSO: Nairobi woman affected by Kariobangi demolitions names newborn after activist who helped her
"...for the love and compassion they have shown to our family during this challenging and beautiful experience,” the couple added.
The babies were born a month early and placed in round-the-clock specialist care where they are likely to remain for at least another month.
“We are immensely grateful and we can't thank you all enough. It is only Allah that can repay you all for all the good deeds. We will never forget you," said the couple.
READ ALSO: Priscilla Mayor: Brilliant Ghanaian lady graduates from Institute of Chartered Accountants
The couple's plans to return home to Oyo, north of Lagos, to look after their soon-to-be expanded family were dashed after flights were grounded because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While Abdulkareem continued to work as a chef at a restaurant in Al Quoz, his basic insurance did not cover the care of any dependents.
The Nigerian community and other UAE residents rallied to support them by donating to the hospital, but substantial costs still remained.
That, has now been secured allowing the family to return home to Nigeria as soon as the babies are well enough to fly.
As a token of their appreciation, the couple decided to name three of the babies in honour of those who offered a helping hand.
One of the boys has been named Hamdan Alexi Tijani and one of the girls Latifah Marichell Tijani after the late mother of the Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.
READ ALSO: Doctor Dapper: Young Black man who lost both parents 3 years apart now top shoe designer (photos)
Another son has been named Mohammed Pride Tijani in honour of Sheikh Mohammed.
“The family hopes that this very little gesture demonstrates the families gratitude and appreciation to the leadership and the love we have for this country,” the couple said.
“We hope if given the chance, to personally thank Sheikh Hamdan for his unconditional love and benevolence. If that opportunity does not arise we would hope that our message somehow gets to him," they added.
The couple also thanked the Nigerian community in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Nigerian Consulate UAE, the Portuguese and other residents that came to their aid
Muna Tahlak, chief executive of Latifa Women and Children's Hospital, praised Sheikh Hamdan's kind gesture while noting the four babies were doing well and did not have complications
“As the babies were born prematurely, they were admitted to the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) where they received ventilation and respiratory support and other medical care to help them thrive," she said.
"Two of them are now ready to be discharged as they now weigh 1.8kgs and the other two will be discharged once they reach the same weight," she added.
Faces of Ghana: 2 brothers paving roads in Ghana with granite and cobblestones:
Have national and human interest issues to discuss? Know someone who is extremely talented and needs recognition?
Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page.
Source: YEN.com.gh
