IRRUA, Edo State — The management of Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH) has released the remains of a 15-year-old boy to his family after the corpse was reportedly held at the hospital’s mortuary over an outstanding medical bill of N1.8 million.
The teenager, an indigene of Etsako West Local Government Area, was buried on Tuesday in his hometown, with relatives, friends and sympathisers mourning his death.
The boy’s father, Moses Eluniamien Ikhemien, a staff member of Etsako West LGA, expressed appreciation to the hospital for eventually releasing the remains and thanked his colleagues for the financial and emotional support they provided during the difficult period.
The family’s ordeal began after the teenager developed a swollen abdomen and severe pain. His father initially took him to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, where he underwent medical examinations and treatment before being referred to ISTH.
At ISTH, the teenager was diagnosed with liver cancer and admitted on July 2, 2026. He died on July 21, after 19 days in the hospital.
Following his death, the family made arrangements to take his remains home for burial. However, the body was reportedly deposited in the hospital mortuary and could not be released because of the outstanding bill.
The father said the cost of his son’s treatment had already placed him under serious financial pressure, with additional expenses incurred on drugs and other medical needs
apart from the hospital bill.According to family members, colleagues of the deceased’s father also visited the hospital in an attempt to negotiate and provide assistance. They alleged that hospital officials informed them that the total cost of treatment was initially above N3 million but had been reduced to N1.8 million.
Despite the financial difficulties, the family continued efforts to secure the boy’s remains for burial.
The father said he had become indebted to several people who assisted with the teenager’s treatment and was uncertain how he would settle the outstanding financial obligations.
The case has renewed concerns among residents and civil servants about the financial challenges facing families seeking medical care and policies surrounding the release of deceased patients’ remains when hospital bills remain unpaid.
Efforts to obtain a response from the management of Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital were unsuccessful as of press time.
A 15-year-old boy from Etsako West Local Government rea has been laid to rest in his home village after a tense standoff between his grieving family and Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH) over unpaid medical bills.
The teenager’s body had been held at the hospital’s mortuary for days after his death, with officials insisting on settlement of a N1.8 million bill before releasing the remains for burial. The corpse was eventually handed over, and the burial took place on Tuesday amid an emotional gathering of
