A pregnant woman, identified as Aisha Najamu, has d!ed 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 service, insisting on cash only.

 

The unfortunate incident occurred on Monday, December 1, after the victim arrived at the hospital in a critical condition in need of urgent oxygen support.

 

Speaking to Channels Television on Friday, December 5, an eyewitness claimed that the cashier on duty declined to issue a receipt or process payment because the deceased did not have cash in hand, in line with the hospital’s internal rule prohibiting transfers.

 

A man who attempted to intervene reportedly pleaded with the cashier to accept a transfer so the woman could be treated, but the cashier allegedly maintained that the hospital policy strictly prohibits payment via bank transfers.

 

The witness explained that he, out of sympathy, offered to pay an additional fee and later presented a $100 note to cover the cost, but the cashier still refused.

 

He, however, described the scene as “deeply distressing,” stating that the woman cried for help until she died around 11:30 p.m.

 

 

 

The management of Turai Umaru Musa Yar’adua Hospital, when contacted, said they were yet to receive a formal complaint from the public on the issue, except through a human-rights organisation, IHRAAC.

 

 

 

The hospital representative, Cashier Aminu Kofar-Bai, regrettably expressed condolences to the family of the deceased woman and assured that the management would visit the family and investigate any staff member found negligent.

 

 

 

However, hospital officials defended their payment policy, stating that the Katsina State Government’s TSA guidelines prohibit accepting transfers into personal accounts.

 

 

They added that the hospital does not have POS machines and relies solely on cash payments. They also lamented a shortage of medical oxygen, which they said they often purchase from Daura LGA.

 

The Head of Pharmacy in the hospital, Usman Salisu Wada, admitted that oxygen supply is limited but said the staff member “may have over-adhered” to policy out of fear of being accused of misconduct.

 

Wada explained that in some cases where the hospital helped distressed patients, many later failed to settle their bills.