Mother, 63, tills nurses' farm for two weeks to clear daughter-in-law's medical bills

When Grace Acen, a resident of Soroti City, Eastern Uganda, started experiencing her labour, she was taken to Princess Diana Memorial Health Centre IV by her mother-in-law, Margaret Iloku.

At the time, the two presumed that it will be a straightforward affair and they will receive free services since it is a government health facility.

But things would not go as 63-year-old Iloku and Acen had planned. Doctors at the facility asked them to pay Shs3,000 for her file, and another Shs20,000 to facilitate the buying of Jik detergent, powder soap, and toilet paper. All these items are required for every expectant mother in labour using the facility.

Living from hand to mouth

Living from hand to mouth, Iloku was unable to raise the money. Fortunately, she came across other patients who hinted to her that she can actually work in a garden of one of the nurses at the hospital to raise the money.

Three days later, Acen was still in labour and was not able to push the baby, forcing doctors to recommend a cesarean delivery. Consequently, Iloku was asked to deposit Shs300,000 before the operation could proceed. Helpless, Iloku sought help from neighbours and other relatives and was able to raise only Shs130,000.

The doctors conducted the operation, albeit after delays, and recommended that Iloku buys some drugs that will help Acen's healing process.

All these expenses contributed to Iloku working more days in the nurse's garden. Five days after the patient was discharged, Iloku was not allowed to go home with the patient. She had to continue working in the garden to clear the pending bills.

The Daily Monitor reports that Iloku's case is just the tip of the iceberg.

"Many other inpatient attendants who fail to pay for the service end up in the gardens of health workers in the facility. Florence Awayo, another patient attendant in the maternity ward also ended up in the maize garden of one of the nurses to buy a file and waiver for the Shs 20,000 meant for Jik detergent, powder soap, and toilet papers," the Ugandan outlet reports.