UPTH says Burna Boy only paid medical bills of selected patients during visit

The University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) has clarified reports claiming Burna Boy settled the medical bills of all its patients. 

In early June, the Afrofusion singer visited the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) and its teaching hospital.

Burna Boy was said to have settled the outstanding medical bills of some patients.

Some reports, however, claimed that the singer covered the bills of all the hospital’s patients.

Elabha Meni, the institution’s spokesperson, has now clarified that Burna Boy only selected patients for cash gifts or donations.

Meni said in a statement on Friday that the hospital did not receive any direct payment from Burna Boy on behalf of patients.

“We commend Burna Boy’s kindness in financially assisting select patients in our hospital to offset their bills during his visit on June 11,” Meni said.

“However, contrary to reports stating that all patients’ bills in UPTH were paid during the visit, only selected patients received cash gifts or donations.

“The hospital did not receive direct payments from the musician and his team on behalf of patients to support this worthy course of reducing healthcare costs.”

Burna Boy rose to stardom in 2013 with the release of ‘Like to Party,’ the lead single from his debut album ‘L.I.F.E.’

In 2021, Burna Boy won the ‘Best World Music Album’ category at the Grammy Awards with his fifth album ‘Twice As Tall’

In April, the Port Harcourt-born singer made the Time Magazine’s list of 100 most influential people for 2024.

The Canadian senate also hailed him for contributing to their entertainment space.