A pregnant woman, Aisha Najamu, has died at the Turai Umaru Musa Yar’adua Maternity and Children Hospital in Katsina after staff allegedly refused to accept a bank transfer for oxygen payment, insisting on cash.
Witnesses said the woman arrived at the facility in a critical condition and needed urgent oxygen support.
However, the cashier on duty reportedly declined to process payment because she did not have cash in hand, citing a hospital rule that prohibits transfers.
Witness Describes “Distressing” Scene
A man who attempted to assist told Katsina Times that he pleaded with the cashier to accept a transfer so the woman could be treated.
He said the cashier insisted the policy forbids bank transfers and must be followed. According to him, he even offered to pay extra and later presented a $100 note, but the staff member still refused.
He described the scene as “deeply distressing,” adding that the woman cried for help until she died around 11:30 p.m.
Hospital Reacts, Promises Investigation
The hospital management said it received no formal complaint except one forwarded by the human-rights group IHRAAC.
Cashier Aminu Ibrahim Kofar Bai expressed condolences and said the management would visit the family and investigate any staff member found negligent.
Officials defended the payment policy, explaining that Katsina State Government’s TSA guidelines prohibit accepting transfers into personal accounts.
They also said the hospital lacks POS machines and relies solely on cash. The management further lamented a shortage of medical oxygen, which they often purchase from Daura.
Head of Pharmacy, Perm Usman Salisu Wada, admitted that oxygen supply is limited but noted that the staff member “may have over-adhered” to policy out of fear of misconduct accusations.
He added that some patients previously assisted by the hospital later failed to settle their bills.
Similar Complaint Highlights Broader Problems
In a separate case, a resident, Rabi’u Yakubu, accused nurses of neglecting his wife, Khadijah Rabi’u, during a blood transfusion.
He alleged that although she was to receive three bags of blood, nurses delayed the second bag for hours, leaving it hanging until it eventually got spoilt.
Sources who spoke anonymously said such incidents are frequent across Katsina hospitals, largely due to severe understaffing. One source claimed that “almost two-thirds of the personnel are casual workers earning only ten thousand naira.”
Public frustration continues to rise as residents blame negligence, poor emergency response, and rigid internal policies for worsening healthcare outcomes in the state.
