Nurse’s Medical Bill Soars From ₦750k to ₦1.6M After Ruptured Appendix

A health worker has recounted the ordeal of a nurse who reportedly visited four government hospitals in search of urgent treatment for acute appendicitis before eventually undergoing surgery at the private hospital where she worked.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the nurse developed severe abdominal pain while on duty, prompting efforts by her colleagues to have her examined and undergo an ultrasound scan. The narrator claimed there was initially resistance from the hospital’s management over payment for the scan, but efforts were eventually made to get the test done.

The ultrasound reportedly confirmed that the nurse had acute appendicitis and required urgent surgery. However, according to the health worker, the private hospital demanded a ₦750,000 deposit before the procedure could be scheduled, despite the nurse reportedly earning less than ₦180,000 monthly at the facility.

Unable to immediately raise the required amount, her colleagues reportedly arranged for her to be taken to a government hospital in search of more affordable treatment.

The health worker claimed the nurse was taken to four different government hospitals but was unable to secure admission, with “no bed space” reportedly given as the reason for turning her away.

With no immediate alternative, the nurse was eventually taken back to the private hospital where she worked so that she could receive the urgent treatment she needed.

The narrator said the nurse, together with the health worker and three other nurses, agreed to have deductions made from their salaries until the medical expenses were fully settled.

However, by the time the surgery was eventually carried out, the nurse’s appendix had reportedly ruptured. This changed the procedure from a straightforward appendectomy to an exploratory laparotomy, resulting in a significant increase in the medical bill.

The health worker said the initial ₦750,000 bill eventually rose to ₦1.6 million, which the group reportedly paid through salary deductions over a period of five months.

“750k became 1.6M and we had to pay it for 5 months till it was completed,” the narrator said.

Despite the financial burden and difficulties encountered while seeking treatment, the health worker confirmed that the nurse eventually recovered and is now doing well.

The account has sparked discussions online about the financial challenges faced by healthcare workers and patients seeking urgent medical treatment, particularly when they are unable to immediately meet the cost of emergency care.