Vulnerable patients hit hard by Nigerian cash shortages as election looms

Several deaths already attributed to crisis that has left some of those critically ill or pregnant unable to access health services

There have been a number of deaths and the lives of pregnant women and critically ill patients put at risk after a botched attempt to replace Nigeria’s currency in the buildup to Saturday’s general election left countless people unable to pay for treatment.

Health bosses have warned of a “dire” situation for those who cannot access care in Africa’s most populous nation, where riots have been spreading in recent weeks over severe cash shortages.