A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded in Katsina State as a pregnant woman lost her life after hospital staff allegedly turned away a bank transfer payment for life-saving oxygen, demanding cash instead.
The victim, known only as Aisha Najamu, arrived at Turai Umaru Musa Yar’adua Maternity and Children Hospital in a life-threatening condition on Monday night.
Eyewitnesses say urgent oxygen could have saved her, if payment rules hadn’t stood in the way.
According to reports, the cashier on duty flatly refused to accept a mobile transfer. “No transfer allowed, cash only,” the cashier reportedly insisted, citing strict internal hospital policy.
A good Samaritan who witnessed the ordeal tried everything to help.
“I begged them to take the transfer just this once,” he told reporters. “When they still said no, I even pulled out a $100 bill to cover the cost plus extra. They rejected that too.”
The man described the final moments as unbearable. “She was crying weakly, begging for oxygen. By 11:30 p.m., she stopped breathing right in front of us,” he said, voice breaking.
Hospital authorities confirmed they have yet to receive any official complaint from the family. Spokesperson Aminu Kofar-Bai offered deep condolences.
“Our hearts go out to the bereaved family. Management will visit them personally and launch a full investigation into any staff negligence,” he promised.
Officials defended the cash-only rule, explaining that Katsina State Treasury Single Account (TSA) regulations ban transfers into personal accounts.
The facility currently has no Point of Sale (POS) machines, leaving cash as the only accepted payment method.
The incident has sparked outrage across social media, with many Nigerians asking how a simple payment delay could cost a mother and her unborn child their lives.
Health rights advocates are now calling for the immediate installation of digital payment systems in public hospitals to prevent future tragedies.
As investigations begin, Aisha Najamu’s death serves as a painful reminder of the urgent need for flexible emergency payment options in Nigeria’s healthcare system.