The Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, has slashed the cost of Caesarean section from as high as ₦250,000 to ₦85,000, in a move aimed at easing the financial burden on expectant mothers and improving access to maternal healthcare.
The Chairman of the hospital’s Medical Advisory Committee, Dr Abdulfatah Muhammad Lawal, disclosed this while speaking with journalists in his office at the hospital.
He said the reduction followed complaints from members of the public about the high cost of Caesarean deliveries at the hospital compared with charges at other health facilities across Katsina State.
Lawal explained that, in response to the complaints and the economic difficulties facing patients, the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Abubakar Muhammad Mairuwa, directed him to review the cost of services and identify areas where charges could be reduced.
He said the review involved comparing the hospital’s fees with those charged by other federal, state-owned and private hospitals before a revised fee structure was presented to the hospital management for approval.
The new rates, according to Lawal, have been in operation for about two to three months and are expected to ease the financial burden on families seeking essential medical services.
Beyond Caesarean section, he said the hospital had also reviewed and reduced charges for other surgical procedures and medical services to enable more patients to access treatment at affordable rates.
The reduction has reportedly contributed to an increase in the number of women presenting at the hospital for Caesarean deliveries, alongside a rise in the number of other patients seeking medical attention.
To further ease payment for patients and their families, the hospital has also introduced more convenient payment options, including the use of automated teller machine (ATM) cards.
Despite challenges posed by the rising cost of electricity supplied to the facility, Lawal said the hospital management remained committed to improving service delivery and ensuring that patients received quality healthcare.
He commended Mairuwa for his commitment to improving the hospital’s operations, particularly through initiatives aimed at reducing patients’ financial burdens while strengthening healthcare delivery.
