A pregnant woman, Aisha Najamu, passed away. This occurred at Turai Umaru Musa Yar’adua Maternity and Children Hospital in Katsina. Staff allegedly refused her bank transfer for oxygen payment. They insisted on cash.

Witnesses stated the woman arrived in critical condition. She urgently needed oxygen support.

The cashier on duty reportedly declined the payment. She did not have cash available. She cited a hospital rule prohibiting transfers.

Urgency Ignored: An Eyewitness Account

A man tried to help. He spoke to Katsina Times. He pleaded with the cashier to accept the transfer. This would allow the woman to receive treatment.

The cashier remained firm. She stated policy forbade bank transfers. It had to be followed. The man even offered extra money. He then presented a $100 bill. The staff member still refused.

He described the scene as “deeply distressing.” The woman cried for help. She died around 11:30 p.m.

Hospital Management’s Response and Investigation Promise

Hospital management claimed no formal complaint was lodged. They only received one from the human-rights group IHRAAC.

Cashier Aminu Ibrahim Kofar Bai offered condolences. Management plans to visit the family. They will investigate any staff found negligent.

Officials defended their payment policy. Katsina State Government’s TSA guidelines disallow transfers. These are prohibited into personal accounts.

The hospital lacks POS machines. It relies entirely on cash. Management also noted an oxygen shortage. They often buy it from Daura.

Perm Usman Salisu Wada, Head of Pharmacy, confirmed limited oxygen supply. He suggested the staff “over-adhered” to policy. This was likely due to fear of misconduct allegations.

He added that some past patients never paid their bills.

Systemic Flaws: A Parallel Complaint

In a separate case, Rabi’u Yakubu made an accusation. He claimed nurses neglected his wife, Khadijah Rabi’u. This happened during a blood transfusion.

He alleged she was to get three blood bags. Nurses delayed the second bag for hours. It hung until it spoiled.

Anonymous sources revealed such incidents are common. Katsina hospitals suffer from severe understaffing. One source claimed two-thirds of personnel are casual workers. They earn only ten thousand naira.

Public frustration continues to mount. Residents blame negligence and poor emergency response. Rigid internal policies also worsen healthcare outcomes.