A pregnant woman, Aisha Najamu, has died at the Turai Umaru Musa Yar’adua Maternity and Children Hospital in Katsina State after a health worker allegedly refused to accept a bank transfer for the payment of oxygen, insisting on cash only.
The incident occurred on Monday when the victim arrived at the hospital in critical condition and required immediate oxygen support. An eyewitness said on Friday that the cashier on duty declined to issue a receipt or process payment because Najamu did not have cash, citing the hospital’s internal rule prohibiting bank transfers.
A bystander who attempted to intervene reportedly begged the cashier to accept a transfer so the woman could be treated, but the staff member insisted that hospital policy must be followed. The witness added that he offered to pay an additional amount and even presented a $100 note, yet the cashier still refused.
He described the situation as “deeply distressing,” noting that the woman cried for help until she died around 11:30 p.m.
When contacted, the hospital’s management said they had not received any formal complaint from the public apart from one submitted by a human-rights organisation, IHRAAC. Cashier Aminu Kofar-Bai expressed condolences to the family and said the management would visit them, adding that any staff member found negligent would be investigated.
Hospital officials defended their payment policy, explaining that the Katsina State Government’s TSA guidelines bar transfers into personal accounts. They said the hospital lacks POS machines and relies solely on cash payments. They also highlighted a shortage of medical oxygen, which is often purchased from Daura LGA.
The Head of Pharmacy, Usman Salisu Wada, acknowledged the limited oxygen supply but admitted the staff member “may have over-adhered” to policy out of fear of being accused of wrongdoing. He explained that in some cases where the hospital assists distressed patients, many fail to settle their bills.
Findings indicate that instances of poor patient handling, inadequate emergency response, negligence, and strict adherence to internal policies are common in some state-owned healthcare centres, discouraging many residents from seeking care.
