A tragic incident at a major Katsina State maternity hospital has resulted in the death of a pregnant woman, following an alleged refusal by a health worker to accept a bank transfer for a critical oxygen service.
A Desperate Plea for Oxygen Ends in Tragedy
Aisha Najamu, the pregnant victim, was brought to the Turai Umaru Musa Yar'adua Maternity and Children Hospital in a critical condition on Monday, December 1. She urgently required oxygen support to survive. However, her situation took a fatal turn due to a dispute over the mode of payment for the life-saving gas.
According to an eyewitness who spoke to Channels Television on Friday, December 5, the cashier on duty declined to issue a receipt or process the payment because the patient's relatives did not have physical cash. The hospital's internal rule reportedly prohibits accepting bank transfers. A man who tried to intervene pleaded with the cashier to make an exception, but the staff member allegedly stood firm, citing strict hospital policy.
Strict Policy and a Failed Compromise
The witness, moved by sympathy, even offered to pay an extra fee and presented a $100 note to cover the cost. Despite this desperate attempt at compromise, the cashier still refused to accept anything other than cash in the local currency. The scene was described as "deeply distressing," with the pregnant woman crying for help until she eventually passed away around 11:30 p.m. that same night.
When contacted, the hospital management stated they had not received a formal public complaint, except through the human rights organization, IHRAAC. Cashier Aminu Kofar-Bai, representing the hospital, expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and assured that management would visit them and investigate any staff member found negligent.
Hospital Defends Policy, Cites Systemic Challenges
However, officials defended the contentious payment policy. They explained that guidelines from the Katsina State Government's Treasury Single Account (TSA) prohibit accepting transfers into personal accounts. The hospital also lacks Point-of-Sale (POS) machines, forcing it to rely solely on cash payments.
Furthermore, the hospital lamented a shortage of medical oxygen, which they often have to purchase from Daura Local Government Area. Usman Salisu Wada, the Head of Pharmacy at the hospital, admitted the oxygen supply is limited. He suggested the staff member "may have over-adhered" to the cash policy out of fear of being accused of misconduct. Wada added that in past instances where the hospital assisted distressed patients, many later failed to settle their bills.
This incident has sparked outrage and raised serious questions about the balance between bureaucratic adherence and humanitarian emergency response in Nigeria's public health facilities.
