Dubai Prince Pays Hospital Bills of Nigerian Woman with Quadruplets
A Nigerian Couple resident in Dubai has been rescued by the crowned prince of Dubai who paid their hospital bill after the wife Suliyat Abdulkareem, 29, gave birth to the babies, two boys, and two girls, at the Latifa Hospital for Women and Children on July 1.
The quadruplets were said to be born before the due date meanwhile, the family had no medical insurance and but were able to get about $108,000 since the quadruplets were born, their father Tijani Abdulkareem said.
Though Nigerians and other nationals raised $11,500 to pay part of the bills. Meanwhile, the Crown Prince stepped in to pay the bills after he came across a report highlighting the family’s story. The Prince said he was moved by the plights of the Nigerian family and that was why he decided to help.
In a bid to show appreciation the couple have decided to name two of their babies after him. One of the girls will also be called Latifa after the hospital, he said.
“It’s just a huge favour, and we are still in shock because we didn’t even know how to get the money. I had been sleepless wondering how to pay the bill,” Abdulkareem said.
The father of the quadruplet Abdulkareem, who is a chef in a restaurant in the city of Dubai said that he was distressed on the notice that his wife would give birth to quadruplets.
Latifa hospital CEO Muna Tahlak said the hospital staff is “overwhelmed” that the country’s ruler has pledged to cover the full medical bills of the quadruplets who are still being cared for at the health facility.
The babies, two boys, and two girls have gradually been taken off ventilators and two of them now weigh 1.8 kilograms. Doctors expect they will soon be strong enough to go home.
The couple, who live in Dubai, had planned to have the babies in Nigeria because they could not afford medical insurance but were unable to travel because of the coronavirus air restrictions that prevented commercial flights between the two countries.
The elated father said the family has received “unbelievable” support from the Nigerian community, and various nationalities which has helped them pay for two months’ rent for a bigger place to accommodate the quadruplets.
“We have been getting calls from Portuguese and Brazilian nationals in Dubai. People have been trying to reach us. The Nigerian community has been following us every step of the way,” Abdulkareem said.
Ayooluwa Joshua