The cries of women in labour echo through the maternity wards of Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital and Gwagwarwa Primary Healthcare Center, Nasarawa local government area in Kano, as anxious relatives pace the corridors, waiting for doctors and nurses to attend to their loved ones.
For many families, however, the urgency of childbirth is quickly overshadowed by another pressure, an alleged demand for money or unnecessary delivery materials by some health workers in the two hospitals.
SolaceBase reports that the situation further worsens the emotional and financial strain relatives already face in those critical moments. For families overwhelmed by the fear of losing both mother and child, refusing such demands is hardly an option.
In the tense atmosphere of the labour ward, many feel compelled to comply by paying unofficial delivery fees or rushing to procure materials that are supposed to be provided free under the state’s maternal healthcare policy, just to ensure their wives or relatives receive attention.
However, the Kano State government introduced a programme to reduce maternal and child mortality and ease the financial burden on vulnerable families. The policy provides free antenatal services, childbirth, including both vaginal delivery and Caesarean section, postnatal care, as well as treatment for children under five.
However, an investigation by SolaceBase has found that despite the policy, some health workers in these facilities allegedly demand unofficial payments or require relatives to provide delivery materials before attending to women in labour.
The practice often places families in a difficult position, either to comply immediately or risk delays in care.
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How patients are extorted to pay delivery fees
At Gwagwarwa Primary Healthcare Centre, relatives of women in labour appear visibly distressed as they are asked to pay delivery fees, often before care is provided.
Findings by SolaceBase show that the amount demanded is not fixed. Instead, it appears to vary depending on the patient’s condition and, in some cases, on what health workers assume the family can afford.
Several relatives said failure to make the payment can lead to delays in attending to patients. In some cases, women are allegedly not allowed to leave the facility after delivery until the money is paid.
The payments are typically made in cash within the labour ward, with no receipts issued and no clear explanation of what the money is meant to cover.
Mariya Hashim, who brought her daughter for delivery, said she was asked to pay ₦6,500, even though she was aware that delivery services are officially free.
“I brought my daughter here because we were told delivery is free. But they asked me to pay ₦6,500. They didn’t explain what it was for, and nothing was bought from the pharmacy,” she said.
She added that some families were asked to pay more.“It depends on how they see you. Some people paid higher. If you refuse, they may delay attending to you. And even after delivery, you must pay before they allow you to go,” she said.
Another relative, Aisha Usman, who brought her sister, said she had a similar experience, adding that, “They told us to pay in cash at the labour ward. Saying delivery is free is not what we saw here.”
She described the moment as overwhelming, saying she could not question the demand.“When my sister was taken inside, a health worker called me and asked for ₦6,500. I didn’t even have the strength to ask why. At that moment, all I was thinking about was her safety,” she added.
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Several relatives told SolaceBase they felt compelled to comply because of the life-threatening situation, leaving them with little room to question the legitimacy of the payments.
Mothers and babies withheld overpayment
There are also serious allegations that some women and their newborns are not allowed to leave the facility until delivery payments are made at Gwagwarwa PHC.
Ummi Adam, who visited the hospital for a check-up, recounted an incident she witnessed where a woman and her baby were held back after delivery.
