A tragic incident unfolded at the Turai Umaru Musa Yar’adua Maternity and Children Hospital in Katsina State, where a pregnant woman, Aisha Najamu, reportedly lost her life after hospital staff refused to accept a bank transfer for urgent oxygen treatment.
According to eyewitness accounts, Najamu arrived at the hospital in a critical state requiring immediate medical intervention.
However, the cashier on duty allegedly insisted on cash payment only, citing internal hospital policy.
Efforts by bystanders to make an emergency payment via bank transfer were reportedly rejected, even when one individual offered additional funds to cover the cost.
The witness described the scene as “deeply distressing,” adding that the woman cried out for help until she passed away around 11:30 p.m.
In response, a representative of the hospital, Cashier Aminu Kofar-Bai, expressed condolences and said the management would reach out to Najamu’s family while conducting an internal investigation into any potential negligence by staff.
At the same time, the hospital defended its policy, explaining that government regulations through the Treasury Single Account (TSA) system prohibit direct bank transfers to personal accounts of staff, and that the facility currently does not have POS machines to accept electronic payments.
The hospital also cited ongoing shortages of medical oxygen, which is often sourced from Daura Local Government Area, as a complicating factor in emergency care.
Usman Salisu Wada, Head of Pharmacy, acknowledged the supply challenges and suggested that staff may have strictly adhered to policy out of fear of being accused of misconduct.
He noted that, in the past, patients assisted in emergencies sometimes failed to settle their hospital bills, which has contributed to strict enforcement of payment rules.
This incident has brought renewed attention to the challenges faced in public healthcare facilities in Nigeria, including poor emergency response, rigid policy enforcement, and inadequate resources.
Critics argue that such systemic issues can have life-or-death consequences, discouraging patients from seeking care when it is most urgently needed.
Human rights advocates have called for immediate review and reform of hospital payment policies to prevent similar tragedies, emphasising that access to emergency medical services should not be delayed by bureaucratic or administrative procedures.
