While tracking public facilities across Nigeria in the past seven years, we have witnessed many anomalies. Still, on some days, we get surprised by the level of deterioration of some facilities when our tracking officers send us updates from the field.
In Ugbawka, Nkanu West LGA in Enugu state, the health centre that serves over four thousand people has been in shambles for two years now. Had the building been empty, it would have been the darling of hoodlums as it has all the facilities needed for their smooth operations.
The facility has no functioning medical equipment, the compound and inner floors are untarred, the roofs are torn, and only the presence of an immunization cooler and a bucket with a tap that serves as a handwash stand will make you wonder if there’s more to the building than being an abandoned war-torn zone.
The situation is so bad that the community health extension worker had to convert the toilet at the back of the building into an office for her to stay during working hours. She confirmed the low attendance of residents.
“Presently, there are no patients to treat because of how bad this place is. Before, people used to come for antenatal, baby delivery, immunization and others, but now they don’t come again. About three years ago, we could have up to fifteen patients per day, but now the best we can get is two people.” she said.
Another worker in the centre explained to Tracka how they work in the deplorable facility.
“We use under the tree as our office and one of the rooms with zinc covering the roof as our delivery room. We are just trying to manage what we have because we don’t have a choice. We need total renovation and supply of medical equipment.” she said.
Fortunately, there is a provision for the renovation of this facility in the 2021 budget under zonal intervention projects. N25million was budgeted in the 2021 FG budget under 2021/ZIP/1199 for the Rehabilitation Of Health Centre At Ugbawka In Nkanu West/East Federal Constituency. This project is to be executed by PRODA (Projects Development Institute).
Seventy-five per cent of funds allocated to Zonal Intervention Projects have been released. Still, residents in this community are yet to see any sign of construction for the project to be implemented.
Faith, a nursing mother, spoke about her experience when she delivered her baby at the health centre.
“I had a horrible experience; thank God there were no complications because it was just the I. O. C and community health extension worker that took the delivery. The annoying thing is that my husband had to buy most of the medical delivery materials.”
Godwin, a motorcycle rider in the community, told Tracka that he and his family could not use the centre.
“The health centre in Ugbawka is in a terrible condition, and one can get infected in that place if not careful. When my family and I are sick, we use the chemist in the area if it is not too serious. If it is serious, we will go to Agbani.”
In the coming days, we will engage Honourable Nnolim John Nnaji, representing Nkanu West/East Federal Constituency, and the agency involved to ensure this project is implemented as healthcare is an essential and critical need that citizens should not be denied.
Story by Ayomide Ladipo and Kevin Chris
This story is published under Tracka’s #FixOurPHCs series. The series highlights how the state of health facilities in communities affects citizens’ quality of life.
Despite #25m provision,.,……….what next?.
(1) Is he the first timer to have located such money to, for the refurbishment of the health center?.
(2) Let’s too have the names of those honourable urchins who must have represented that constituency, because it didn’t start with him.
(3) The sponsors of this, should please send out their own analytical score board sheet in their different life endeavours.
(4) I don’t know this man, and at the same time, not saying that your caption was fair or not, for not having headed from his own side, because one can see political imbroglio playing out here.
(5) I still remain my humble self, until I hear from you people.
(6) Thanks.