Landlady allegedly pours hot water on woman, victim seeks help
A middle-aged woman, Imabong William, residing at Enugwu-Ukwu in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, has appealed to the Anambra State governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, and other people for assistance to save her life.
William, who hails from Akwa Ibom State, had been receiving treatment at Zion Hospital, Nawfia, in Njikoka LGA, since August 17, after her landlady allegedly poured hot water mixed with pepper on her over a disagreement on rent increment.
The incident reportedly happened at Enugwu-Ukwu, and the landlady, Amaka Okonkwo, is currently in police custody in connection to the incident.
William, who spoke to journalists on Saturday, said she still feels scald burn pain as the hospital had stopped giving her medications for over a month due to her accumulated medical bills.
According to her, she owes the hospital the sum of N650,000 and cannot afford to pay.
She said, “I have been in the hospital for over three months; though I’m healing gradually, I still feel pain. The doctor brought my bill last month, and it has accumulated to N650,000.
“I am a trader; I do not have money anywhere to pay the bill, which was why the hospital stopped giving me any medications and treatment.
“I called the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare because they brought me to the hospital, and they have not come to check on me since then.
“But the woman who answered the call said the ministry does not pay medical bills and that their job is to prosecute the offender. She told me to go and source for funds on my own.
“I am really confused. Even feeding has been difficult, and my two-year-old baby, who is staying with me in the hospital, is not safe because she can contract disease here.
William, however, appealed to the state governor, his wife, and other well-meaning Nigerians to come to her aid.
“I appeal to Governor Chukwuma Soludo and his wife, Dr Nonye Soludo, the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, and well-meaning individuals to come to my aid.
“A lot of people have advised me to meet the wife of the governor. Some advised that I should write, but truly, I am not finding it easy.
“Whatever the government feels that it can do in order to assist is welcome; my health and life depend on it,” she added.
A staff of the hospital who pleaded anonymity told journalists that they moved her from the private where she was treated to a maternity ward and that they stopped her medication to avoid the accumulation of her medical bill.
