Pregnant woman dies after health worker reportedly rejects bank transfer in Katsina

A pregnant woman, Aisha Najamu, tragically 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 payment only.

The incident occurred on Monday when Najamu arrived at the hospital in critical condition, urgently requiring oxygen support.

An  eyewitness said the cashier on duty reportedly declined to either 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 maintained that the hospital policy strictly forbade bank transfers and that staff must abide by the directive.

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.

Although 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 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.

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

This newspaper gathered that there were several instances of poor handling of patients, inadequate emergency response, negligence of duty, and over-adherence to internal policies by most health workers in the state-owned healthcare centres, which in turn discourages many patients from patronising them.