Despite the PHC’s reopening, residents continue to face major barriers to receiving necessary services, as various unsolved issues exist both within and outside the institution.
“We were delighted when the facility was opened,” said Safiya Anas, a pregnant lady who was admitted to the facility and got medical attention.
“However, it lacked health workers, necessary tools, and drugs.”
She further stated that the road leading to the institution is not secure for pregnant women since bandits frequently block it with dangerous weapons capable of inflicting severe injury.
Even when confronted with mothers carrying children or in labor, these thugs show no mercy.
A resident, Umaru Babati, said he volunteered to act as a gateman at the facility.
However, he has only gotten one stipend in the last 12 months. Babati, the facility’s lone security guard, admitted to being overburdened by his responsibilities.
He requested that the local government body (LGA) assign him a partner or assistance to ease his workload and maintain effective security measures.
According to Safiya Abdullahi, a clinic employee, the facility was developed to alleviate the stress of seeking healthcare for the inhabitants of Tashan Jirgi and other settlements.
It is still lacking in beds and laboratory equipment, and it is understaffed.
“We only have three qualified health workers in this facility, and the beds we use here are the old ones from our previous clinic,” Safiya explained.
However, according to Safiya, the main issue for both employees and patients is insecurity.
“These obstacles really impede effective service delivery,” she bemoaned.
She encouraged the LGA officials and all stakeholders to assist them in guaranteeing security and supplying the facility with necessary tools and pharmaceuticals to improve service delivery.
Tashan Jirgi Primary Health Care Centre (PHC) was built in 2020 by the member of the Federal House of Representatives representing Wushishi LGA and had remained closed and underused since.
The failure of the local government authority to deploy health personnel to operate and manage the institution after its handover was the cause of the facility’s lengthy shutdown.
As a result, pregnant women in the community had to risk crossing a river to get healthcare at another facility.
The LGA has addressed the previous lack of health worker deployment by guaranteeing that health workers are now stationed at the center to provide critical medical care.
Niger State and Wushishi LGA stakeholders should ensure enough staffing and equip the Tashan Jirgi PHC with necessary instruments, medications, and laboratory equipment.
Improve security measures, including addressing road safety issues leading to the institution, and work with community stakeholders to deliver successful services.
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