Government Urged To Scale-Up Primary Health Care Service Delivery In The Country

A Nigerian Non-Governmental Organization, Connected development has called on government at all levels to make provision for quality facilities in various primary health care centers in the country.

Following the release of 1.5 million dollars by World Bank to the 36 states including the Federal Capital Territory as part of the Bank’s “Save One million Lives”, CODE visited 6 states to assess the state of the PHCs to track the implementation of these funds. These states include Akwa-Ibom, Enugu, Kano, Kogi and Yobe.

Findings from these the states are rather terrible as most of the Primary Health Centres are currently facing several disgraceful and elementary challenges.

Generically, most of them have no improved water supply, electricity, security, quarters for hospital staffers; there is no stationed doctor; and the toilet facilities are in a mess. Furthermore, because of these challenges, the PHCs do not operate 24/7, cannot admit or treat sick people and lack sufficient tables & chairs.

In Kano, precisely Kantudu in Makoda, it was discovered that the PHC serves 2,500 people, all coming from 13 surrounding villages. The PHC was built 5-6 years ago as a senatorial project in Makoda LGA. The PHC has one male and female ward, which are not presently functioning. There are only three staffers with one community health worker who are not certified health professionals.

During the interactive section with the head of community Alhaji Muhammad Musa and the community association said that they have reached out to the government of Kano twice on the state of the health center in Kantudu, but there was no response.

“We hope this campaign with ONE and CODE will make the government of Kano to look at the plight of our health center, so that our people can start using it” says Malam Ali, the medical head at the PHC.

In Lantenwa area of Yobe State where a Primary Health Care is in a messy situation. The PHC serves a population of 13,400 under 5 yrs; 10-15 patients daily, 70-105 weekly. Speaking to the head commnity ,AuduLantewa, mentioned that the dispensary has been dilapidated for more than 7 yrs, adding that dispensary situation is critical and he personally reported the issue to local authorities several times.

He further lamented that “Lantewa is the gathering center of four neighboring with approximately 7,000 registered voters, as such we should get better things from the government” he said

In Kogi State, CODE wanted to find out if the implementation of the fund is ongoing as well as to track the implementation of the N10.5 million earmarked by the National Primary Health care Development Agency for the rehabilitation of the PHC. On reaching there, there was no such intervention taking place. The Officer in Charge (OIC) said it was the first time she was hearing of such.

In Osun State, there was nothing to write home about as findings revealed that the facility is meant to serve 11 villages which are: Gboore, Alajue-Logun, Asunmo, Ayegbami, Agbopa, Jagun-Odomu, Olodan, Aladie, Amosun, Seesa, Akiribiti amongst others. In total, the target population which the facility is meant to serve is 12,498. 498 of the population are children less than one year, the Primary Health Care Centre has a monthly target of 42 patients, but it end up serving more than 400 on the average.

Consequently, a Freedom of Information letters was sent to the concerned government institutions and offices for a breakdown of the funds usage, implementation window and respective contractors, especially the governmental institutions concerned, to instantaneously start the implementation of these funds, ensure transparency & accountability in the funds’ implementation, and make government data open in line with the Open Government Partnership.