Aisha Najamu arrived at Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Hospital in desperate need.
She was pregnant and struggling to breathe.
Doctors said she needed oxygen and a ventilator right away.
But the hospital cashier refused a simple bank transfer.
He demanded cash on the spot.
While her family scrambled for money, Aisha cried for help.
She died before they could pay.
Eyewitnesses watched in horror as the scene unfolded.
A good Samaritan stepped in.
He begged the cashier: “Just take the transfer. Save her life!”
No luck.
He even offered to cover the full bill himself.
Still no.
He pulled out $100 cash as a bribe to bend the rules.
The staffer said no.
“Fear of sanctions,” he claimed later.
Aisha’s pleas grew weaker.
Her family searched frantically for cash.
Too late.
She passed away at the hospital gate.
The Hospital’s Side: Policy Over Patients?
Hospital management confirmed the story but defended their staff.
Spokesman Aminu Ibrahim Kofar Bai offered condolences.
He said they would visit Aisha’s family and probe any negligence.
But they blamed state rules.
Katsina’s TSA policy bans bank transfers into personal accounts.
No POS machines on site.
Oxygen is scarce anyway—they source it only from Daura, miles away.
Pharmacy head Perm Usman Salisu Wada backed the cashier.
“He was just following rules,” Wada said.
“Some patients recover and vanish without paying.”
The hospital noted one formal complaint—from Human Rights Watch (IHRAAC).
No others yet.
A Pattern of Pain in Katsina
This isn’t isolated.
Anonymous sources say cash-only demands delay care daily.
Understaffing and low morale fuel the chaos.
Nigeria’s hospitals often put policy before people.
A simple transfer could have saved Aisha.
Instead, a mother-to-be lost her life.
Rest in peace, Aisha Najamu.
Your story demands change—now.
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Fellow Nurses Africa is the independent voice of African nursing. We educate, inform and support nurses across Africa.
Charles Wealth is an accomplished healthcare administrator with decades of hands-on experience across various healthcare organizations in Nigeria and beyond. Known for his strategic leadership, operational excellence, and deep commitment to advancing the nursing profession, Charles brings a wealth of expertise to healthcare management, policy, and professional development.
As a co-founder and Editor at Fellow Nurses Africa, he plays a pivotal role in shaping content that educates, inspires, and unites nurses across the continent. His editorial vision focuses on amplifying the voices of nurses, highlighting best practices, addressing contemporary challenges in healthcare, and promoting professional growth within the nursing community.
With a strong background in healthcare administration, Charles is passionate about bridging the gap between clinical practice and effective leadership. He continues to contribute significantly to the development of robust healthcare systems and the empowerment of nurses through knowledge sharing and advocacy.
