BWARI – Mrs Cecilia Obawaya, the chief nurse, Primary Health Care Centre in Kuduru, Bwari, says the absence of electricity, potable water and security is hindering the smooth operations of the centre.
Obawaya made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bwari on Friday.
She said that the lack of such basic amenities impeded smooth medical operations that would promote the well-being of the residents of the area council.
“We have the challenges of light as you can see; we don’t have light here; though so many steps have been taken by the area council and also the community, we are still on it.
“And then, we have the challenge of water, we don’t have water; before the opening of this place, we had a borehole, but it is not functioning up till now, so we buy water.
“The place is open; it is not fenced; it is also a challenge, because months ago armed robbers came in through the laboratory; they didn’t go away with anything anyway.
“The security operative told me he discovered in time, when he heard somebody pulling-out the louver and had to check, but the person ran away, he ended up spoiling the window.
“The area council authority is aware of all these things.
Obawaya, therefore, appealed to the authority to equip the centre with adequate electricity supply, potable water and increase the staff strength to overhaul the health care services.
According to the nurse, the centre lacks doctor, inadequate nurses and midwives required to meet the needs of persons who patronise it.
She said that the health officials often worked closely with two traditional birth attendants at the ward level, noting however, that pregnant mothers preferred to go to the general hospital, rather than patronise the centre.
The chief nurse commended the support NGOs for the provision of HIV and AIDS testing kits to improve service delivery for pregnant women.
She further said that the lack of essential drugs at the facility also posed a challenge for the smooth operation of the facility.
She, however, appealed to the council authority to intervene by overhauling the centre, to promote primary health care delivery services for people residing in the community.
“We appeal to the government to help us in keep this facility well; when this place was opened newly, we did a lot of outreach, home visit before people started coming or accessing it.
“With what is happening now, there is encouragement, so by the time this place is put in order, it will improve more.
“So, we are urging the government based on what we said concerning the light, fencing, water and also the HIV kits, apart from the NGOs, government can also involve us.”
NAN reports that efforts to get the Bwari council chairman to comment on the issues failed as he avoided granting an interview. (NAN)