Community-Led Monitoring (CLM) project in Kogi State have raised concerns over the poor state of some primary healthcare centres across the state, calling on state government for urgent intervention to address gaps in manpower, infrastructure, and essential medical supplies.
The CLM project, is a community-driven accountability mechanism aimed at improving the quality, accessibility, and responsiveness of health services, focuses on HIV, tuberculosis (TB), malaria, prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT), and other essential healthcare services.
CLM observed some deficiency when they visited some Primary Healthcare Centres in the state.
Presenting the observations during advocacy visit organized by SAVE Initiative, and Goshen Foundation held at the Kogi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency in Lokoja on Thursday, the representative of SAVE Initiative Okai Muhammed Siaka disclosed that findings from the monitoring exercise conducted in several local government areas revealed persistent stockouts of drugs.
He added that medical commodities, shortage of health personnel, and deteriorating infrastructure in some public health facilities was also observed.
Siaka pointed out that the advocacy report identified major challenges at facilities such as Banda Primary Health Centre, Adankolo Primary Health Centre and Geregu Primary Health Centre.
The CLM noted that the report indicated that Banda Primary Health Centre is grappling with a severe shortage of essential medicines needed for the treatment of common illnesses such as malaria and HIV-related conditions, as well as maternal health services.
“The facility was also found to be critically understaffed, resulting in long waiting times and poor service delivery for patients seeking medical attention.
“The report further revealed that the physical condition of the facility has deteriorated, with poorly maintained buildings, inadequate equipment and unhygienic surroundings”
According to him, these challenges, have weakened public confidence in the health facility, leading many residents to seek medical services in distant health centres or rely on informal healthcare providers.
Speaking further, he said similar monitoring exercise highlighted the need to expand the Adankolo Primary Health Centre to cope with increasing demand for health services in the area.
“At Geregu Primary Health Centre, the report identified shortages of nurses, medications and basic beddings needed for patient care.
“Based on the findings, the organisations called for the deployment of additional qualified health personnel, including doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians and pharmacy staff, to address manpower shortages.
“The organizations also recommended strengthening maternal and child health services through the provision of trained midwives and essential maternity equipment.
“Other recommendations include improving laboratory services, reactivating tuberculosis and malaria diagnostic services, strengthening drug supply chains, and improving facility infrastructure such as electricity, water supply and general maintenance.
“The groups also emphasized the need for community engagement and sensitization programmes to rebuild trust between health facilities and residents” he stated.
Responding to the concerns, Dr Hadiya Ismail Ahmed who spoke on behalf of the Executive Director, Kogi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, said primary healthcare centres in the state are under the control of local governments, particularly in the deployment of health personnel.
She explained that the state government mainly plays a supervisory role, while the agency occasionally bridges manpower gaps by engaging ad-hoc staff through intervention programmes.
According to her, the agency is working towards operationalizing the “Primary Health Care Under One Roof” policy, which will enable it to recruit and manage health personnel directly.
Dr. Ahmed added that the agency has continued to train and retrain primary healthcare workers to improve efficiency and service delivery in rural communities.
She also noted that the relocation or expansion of Adankolo Primary Health Centre would be considered whenever there is a relevant government intervention.
She appealed to community members to formally report cases of unsatisfactory renovation or poor service delivery at health facilities to the agency for prompt action.
The CLM project in Kogi State is being implemented by SAVE Initiative, RECEF and Goshen Foundation with funding support from the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN).
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