FCT Public Hospitals: Cash Payment Allegations Surface Amid Cashless Push

• Patients in FCT public hospitals are reportedly being asked for cash payments, despite Nigeria's national cashless policy.
• Allegations include demands for cash for services, lack of official receipts, and redirection to private accounts or external PoS operators.
• Specific incidents at Kubwa General Hospital, NCS Hospital Karu, and Bwari General Hospital detail these alleged practices.
• These practices raise significant concerns about financial transparency and accountability within public healthcare institutions.
• The Federal Government's cashless policy aims to promote electronic transactions, which these alleged cash demands undermine.

Lawyers advising public healthcare institutions or government agencies in Nigeria's FCT should assess internal financial controls and compliance with the national cashless policy to address potential fraud, corruption, and transparency issues highlighted by these patient allegations.

Residents seeking medical attention at public hospitals within the satellite towns of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have brought forth serious FCT public hospital cash payment allegations, claiming a pervasive practice of cash-only transactions. These reports surface despite the Federal Government's concerted efforts to foster a cashless economy and encourage widespread adoption of electronic payment systems across the nation. A recent survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) revealed that numerous patients and their caregivers at these government-owned facilities reported being compelled to pay in physical currency for various services, with some further alleging a failure to issue official receipts for these payments.

Beyond direct cash demands, some respondents indicated that when they lacked sufficient physical cash, hospital personnel allegedly directed them to nearby Point-of-Sale (PoS) operators or provided private bank account details for electronic transfers. Such practices raise significant questions regarding accountability and transparency in financial dealings within these public health institutions. This situation has, according to affected patients, inadvertently led to increased business for PoS operators situated in the vicinity of hospital premises, as relatives often find themselves scrambling to acquire the necessary cash to cover treatment and other hospital-related expenses. The persistent nature of these alleged cash demands directly contradicts the spirit of the Nigeria cashless policy FCT hospitals are expected to uphold.

The challenges faced by patients are underscored by several detailed accounts. Mrs. Halima Bature recounted her relative's emergency admission at Kubwa General Hospital, where the family was reportedly subjected to continuous demands for cash payments throughout the treatment process. She alleged that cash was required for obtaining a hospital card, conducting laboratory investigations, and securing a ward bed, leaving the family with limited options during a critical medical emergency. Mrs. Bature specifically stated that all staff encountered that night insisted on cash, even for basic administrative steps like acquiring the hospital card. When their cash reserves were depleted, the family was allegedly offered a PoS machine, only to discover that the associated account details were not linked to the hospital itself. Furthermore, she claimed that no receipts were issued for any of the payments made during the admission, making it impossible to track the transactions.

Similar concerns about public hospital financial misconduct Nigeria were voiced at the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Hospital in Karu. Mrs. Odunayo Adebanji alleged that she paid approximately N66,000 in cash during her son's two-day admission, yet received no official receipts to document these significant expenditures. Another caregiver at the facility, Mr. Tayo Akinyemi, claimed he paid cash for an ear swab procedure and an additional N10,000 directly to a doctor for ear flushing, expressing shock at such practices in an institution affiliated with a reputable organization. In contrast, Mrs. Glory Yamput, whose relative also received treatment at the NCS Hospital, stated she utilized approved payment channels and was provided with receipts for all transactions, indicating a potential inconsistency in practices even within the same facility.

At Bwari General Hospital, Mrs. Vera Yunana described her repeated resistance to cash payment demands during her sister-in-law's admission for childbirth. She alleged that hospital staff initially requested N14,000 in cash, recording the amount and purpose on a piece of carton. When Mrs. Yunana requested the hospital's official account details for a transfer, her request was reportedly rebuffed by the staff managing the admission. She further claimed that nurses on different shifts subsequently requested cash sums ranging from N1,000 to N3,000 for medications following the surgical procedure. However, other users of Bwari General Hospital, such as Mr. Nurudeen Balogun, who was receiving treatment for tooth pain, reported never encountering demands for private account payments or unofficial channels during their multiple visits, suggesting that these practices might not be universal across all staff or situations.

The Federal Capital Territory healthcare payments system is clearly under scrutiny due to these widespread allegations. The Federal Government's cashless policy was implemented with the explicit aim of enhancing financial transparency, reducing corruption, and improving the efficiency of transactions across all sectors, including public services. The alleged cash payment practices, particularly those involving unofficial PoS operators or private bank accounts, directly undermine these objectives. They create an environment ripe for potential fraud and corruption, making it exceedingly difficult to trace funds and ensure that payments are properly accounted for within the public health system.

The lack of official receipts, as frequently alleged by patients, further exacerbates the problem of accountability, leaving individuals without proof of payment and making it challenging for authorities to audit financial flows. These issues not only erode public trust in government institutions but also compromise the integrity of healthcare service delivery. Lawyers advising public healthcare institutions or government agencies in Nigeria's FCT should assess internal financial controls and compliance with the national cashless policy to address potential fraud, corruption, and transparency issues highlighted by these patient allegations. Ensuring strict adherence to established financial protocols and leveraging electronic payment solutions are critical steps to restore confidence and uphold the principles of good governance in the Federal Capital Territory's public health sector.

Lawyers advising public healthcare institutions or government agencies in Nigeria's FCT should assess internal financial controls and compliance with the national cashless policy to address potential fraud, corruption, and transparency issues highlighted by these patient allegations.

Source: Original reporting via News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) survey.