It was sad news as Hafsatu Yusuf, a mother of eight, passed away less than 12 hours after giving birth to quintuplets in Kano.

Yusuf’s delivery at the popular Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital on Wednesday, through a high-intensity but natural delivery, was initially met with joy until news of her demise spread.

Her story garnered public concern after her husband, Salisu Nafiu, a commercial tricycle driver, sought public assistance to help cope with the survival of the news and taking care of members of his family.

The woman’s death early on Thursday broke several hearts, even as the state government announced its readiness to cover the medical bills for the delivery.

Sources from the hospital revealed that Hafsatu’s medical condition deteriorated rapidly in the early hours of Thursday, ultimately leading to her passing despite the hospital’s staff’s efforts to stabilise her.

The source, however, expressed concerns about the safety of the quintuplets, who are currently in stable condition at the intensive care unit of the hospital, but urgently required extensive breastfeeding to survive.

Before the sudden turn of events, the spokesperson for the state’s Ministry of Health, Nabulisi Abubakar, had stated on Wednesday that the state would take responsibility for the medical care of the nursing mother.

He said that the intervention was part of the state government’s broader efforts to enhance healthcare services, particularly in 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.