Basic Health Center, Muye, is among the 109 primary health centers (PHCs) marked for revitalisation by the federal government in 2017. However, six years after its renovation, the center is in a bad state.

During a visit to the center, FIJ’s found that the center had suffered poor maintenance, inadequate manpower and the absence of basic medical equipment.

Residents of the village said the structure was renovated in 2015. They lamented the inadequate workforce and lack of medical equipment and drugs.

Apart from the labour room, other facilities were nothing to write home about. The wards, toilets, pharmacy and referral vehicles were below the minimum PHC standard. 

Adamu Nasir, a worker at the hospital, told FIJ that they had many things in place, but they were not working. “Our toilets are dilapidated, there’s a need for more beds and mattresses,” he said.

On the staff strength, he said there were eight staff, including three community officers.

The staff is, however, overpowered by the patients accessing the facility on a monthly basis. FIJ’s found that about 500 people visit the health centre from over 20 villages every month. 

‘NO SINGLE MEDICAL OFFICER AVAILABLE’

Abdulqadir Muhammad Maigari, the head of the community popularly known as ‘Amana Kakanda, Muye’, told FIJ the facility’s workforce since its renovation about six years earlier, had remained the same.

He said the staff capacity had not changed, and that there was only a single community health officer at the center. 

“Not even a single medical officer is available in the PHC. And as a clinic upgraded to a basic health center, there are supposed to be more than two or three medical officers available,” Abdulqadir told FIJ.

Expressing dismay over the absence of some amenities, the monarch said, “It is heartbreaking that in a big health center like that, there are not enough beds. It should have a bedding capacity that can accommodate a minimum number of 50 patients, but hardly will you count 10”.

To improve staff strength, Abdulqadir urged the government to deploy at least two medical officers to the center.

INDIGENES LAMENT POOR STAFFING, SEEK GOVERNMENT’S HELP

Idris Abubakar, a resident, remarked that the age-long setbacks bedeviling the facility persisted after it was renovated. He feared that the centre might have returned to what its former poor state.

“The facility, despite its good structure, lacks vital things like drugs and medical equipment,” another indigene, Ibrahim Abdullahi, said.

However, Fatima Ibrahim, an ex-worker at the facility, said it had improved compared with its previous shape.

“Even with the small manpower available, the facility is kind of beneficial to the members of the community,” she said.

Asked why she quit the job, Fatima said the payment was very low. She also said she was not the only one that resigned. “Before my resignation, there were two permanent staff, including 15 other casual workers,” Fatima said.

All these workers, according to her, resigned due to the unattractive payment.

She urged the government to prioritise the healthcare centre, saying the locals would be glad if the staff strength was enhanced.

OFFICER-IN-CHARGE TO THE RESCUE

Musa Isah Yawa, the Officer-in-Charge at Muye PHC, was praised for his efforts to keep the facility functioning. 

Musa, who is a community health officer, was said to have recruited some people in the community to help him in the facility.

Abdulqadir, the community leader, said, “Musa employed some casual staff to help him in the facility. These casual workers are being paid from levies generated from their services.”

When contacted, Musa confirmed the situation, applauding the casual staff for their all-time efforts.

“The salary is not encouraging, yet they still find pleasure in doing humanitarian service,” Musa said.

Asked how much the casual workers earned monthly, Musa sheepishly replied, “N10,000.”

He begged that they be granted full salary scale and also suggested a series of professional trainings for them.

Like the residents, Musa also decried shortage of drugs and medical equipment in the facility. He also solicited for the government’s quick intervention.

Habeebah Etsu, the Public Relations Officer of Niger State Primary Health Care Development Agency (SPHCDA), was not sure of the condition of the facility. When contacted, she said she would get back to our reporter after making her findings.