A tragic incident at the Turai Umaru Musa Yar’adua Maternity and Children Hospital in Katsina State has sparked public outrage after a pregnant woman, identified as Aisha Najamu, died following delays in receiving urgent medical support allegedly linked to a dispute over payment method.
According to eyewitness accounts, the woman arrived at the hospital on Monday, December 1, in critical condition and in need of immediate oxygen support. However, a disagreement reportedly arose when a health worker on duty declined to accept a bank transfer as payment for the oxygen service, insisting that only cash payments were permitted under hospital policy.
An eyewitness who later spoke to Channels Television claimed that efforts were made by concerned individuals to resolve the situation quickly so treatment could begin. One man reportedly pleaded with the cashier to accept a bank transfer, explaining that it was the only immediate option available as no cash was on hand at that moment. Despite the urgency of the situation, the health worker allegedly refused to proceed without physical cash or to issue a receipt for a transfer.
The witness further claimed that, in a bid to save the woman’s life, he even offered to pay an additional amount beyond the required fee and later presented a $100 note. Despite this, he said the payment was still not accepted. He described the situation as extremely distressing and emotionally overwhelming, noting that the woman continued to call for help until she later died at around 11:30 p.m.
News of the incident has drawn widespread attention, raising concerns about hospital policies, emergency preparedness, and compassion in critical medical situations.
When contacted for comment, the management of Turai Umaru Musa Yar’adua Maternity and Children Hospital stated that it had not yet received any official complaint from the public regarding the incident, apart from a report made by a human rights organisation, the International Human Rights Articulation and Advocacy Council (IHRAAC).
The hospital’s cashier, Aminu Kofar-Bai, expressed sympathy to the family of the deceased and offered condolences on behalf of the institution. He stated that management intends to visit the bereaved family and promised that any staff member found to have acted negligently or inappropriately would face internal investigation and possible disciplinary action.
At the same time, hospital officials defended the existing payment procedures, explaining that Katsina State Government Treasury Single Account (TSA) regulations do not allow staff to accept transfers into personal accounts. They said this policy is designed to prevent financial misconduct and protect both patients and workers from allegations of fraud or misappropriation of funds.
The hospital also admitted that it currently does not have Point-of-Sale (POS) machines to make electronic payments easier for patients or their families. As a result, all payments are made in cash, a system that can present serious challenges in emergency medical situations where speed is essential.
Officials further revealed that the hospital is dealing with a limited supply of medical oxygen, which they often have to purchase externally from Daura Local Government Area. This shortage, they said, has continued to place strain on their ability to respond promptly to emergencies.
The Head of Pharmacy at the hospital, Usman Salisu Wada, acknowledged that the oxygen supply is insufficient but suggested that the staff member may have been overly strict in applying policy, possibly out of fear of being accused of violating financial regulations. He added that in past situations, the hospital had assisted patients who later failed to return to settle their bills, leading to financial losses for the facility.
Despite these explanations, many members of the public and civil society groups have criticised the situation, arguing that in a medical emergency, saving a life should always be the first priority over administrative or financial procedures. Some have called on the Katsina State Government to immediately review hospital policies, provide modern payment systems, and improve medical supply chains to prevent future tragedies.
Human rights activists have also urged authorities to carry out a transparent investigation into Aisha Najamu’s death, stressing that accountability is essential not only for justice but also to restore public trust in government-run health institutions.
As the investigation continues, the incident highlights wider systemic challenges in Nigeria’s healthcare sector, including underfunded hospitals, inadequate equipment, unclear procedures, and the difficult choices faced by frontline health workers. Many experts argue that urgent reforms are needed to ensure that no patient is denied life-saving care because of administrative delays or lack of payment options.
Source:Africa Publicity
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