Grief in Kano as mother of quintuplets dies a day after delivery

By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano

Grief and mourning overshadowed the ancient commercial city of Kano as the news filtered in early Thursday morning that Hafsatu Yusuf, who successfully delivered of five children at Murtala Mohammed Specialist hospital on Wednesday, has died.

The news greeted residents of Kano who had earlier been celebrating the woman with shock and utter disbelief.

Doctors at the hospital had confirmed that Hafsatu was on stable condition after delivering of the quintuplets on Wednesday.

Her husband, Salisu Nufi’u, a commercial tricycle driver, cried uncontrollably, as the quintuplets, are the ninth pregnancy of the late wife.

Medical personnel at the hospital confirmed to our Correspondent that the quintuplets are currently receiving intensive medical care at the facility, even though they did not reveal their current health condition.

There is no official Statement from the hospital authority as at the time of filing this report.

Our Correspondent reports that shortly after giving birth to the five children, Kano state Governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, pledged to carter for medical bills and other needs of the family.

A statement issued by the Kano State Ministry of Health and made available to journalists noted that the intervention of Governor Yusuf’s administration forms part of the state government’s broader efforts to strengthen healthcare services, particularly in the area of maternal and child health.

According to the ministry, the initiative is aimed at ensuring improved care for pregnant women and newborns, while also contributing to the reduction of maternal and infant mortality rates across the state.

The husband of the woman had also expressed profound appreciation to the government for the gesture.

He described the support as timely, noting that it came at a moment when the family was in dire need of assistance.

The five babies — three boys and two girls delivered successfully without medical hitches before the death of the mother was announced on Thursday.