Ward Development Committee (WDC) chairmen in Kumbotoso Local Government Areas (LGA) have demanded more equipment and facilities across Primary Healthcare Facilities (PHCs) in the LGA as pressure is beginning to mount on health facilities with little or no equipment and facilities to cater for the increasing population in certain wards.
WDCs are a group of influential individuals responsible for overseeing development at the sub-district level. WDCs work to encourage community involvement in health issues and create local accountability for healthcare services.
In Chiranchi PHC, there isn’t a male and female ward, despite the fact that an estimated 200 residents visit the health facility in a day. The implication of this is that patients cannot be hospitalized in the health centre because it lacks wards for males and females.
The WDC chairman of the facility Sabiu Ado told Daily News24 that community members had initially collaborated to build an office for the officer in charge of the PHC, a laboratory, a pharmacy and an accident and emergency ward.
“The community members gave their contributions and collaboratively we erected those structures but the much-needed male and female ward is a project that is far beyond the community members because much funds are required.
“We have spoken to the local government chairman and have personally written to the office of the LGA chairman over 10 times and received acknowledgement copies of those letters but nothing has been done since then.” He said.
Ado added that because the PHC lacks male and female wards, the facility has not commenced services rendered by the Kano Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA), pointing out that manpower is adequate in the PHC while calling on the government and relevant authorities to look into the plight of the health centre.
For the past 12 years, Riga Fada health facility has made attempts to get land which can be used to expand the health centre but all efforts put in by the WDC and other officials have been hollow though, community members through a collaborative effort commenced the construction of 3 rooms in the facility.
“The construction of those rooms has reached the roofing stage and requires more funds to complete it, hence I am calling on the authorities to complete it,” says, Abdulrahaman Ado, the WDC of Riga Fada PHC.
He adds that a philanthropist has committed to expanding the facility by building additional rooms but there isn’t any land available in the surrounding because a community leader has sold the land and the other buildings beside the PHC are private residences.
“I have tried all means for the past 12 years but all effort has been futile. I have witnessed 3 different LGA chairmen who received our request but the situation still remains the same at the PHC. I want to use this opportunity to call on the wider authorities to look into our plea.” He implored.
Dan Maliki PHC has become overwhelmed with patients to the extent that concerns have mounted over the absence of fencing and the need for additional rooms in the centre to adequately accommodate the teaming number of patients.
Tukur Abdu, the WDC chairman for the PHC while speaking with Daily News24 said “We have written to the chairman of the LGA about our concerns and the PHC has been assessed and a bill of quantity has been developed but work is yet to commence 6 months after, as we are yet to get approval.
“The effort of our LGA chairman is commendable and we are optimistic that when funds are released, the project will commence and the pressure will be contained when the hospital is expanded. Other needs that the PHC needs are a generator set, and additional staff.” He explained.
The WDCs made this demand in a community accountability town hall meeting on strengthening maternal and child health through accountability interventions in Kumbotso LGA, organized by the Resource Center for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED).
Mr Omoniyi Adeoye, the senior programs officer at CHRICED said that the bulk of health spending by the Kano state government is in recurrent expenditure, leaving a little about 30% for capital expenditure adding that the call by the WDCs is inevitable.
He, therefore, advocated for proper utilization of health funds affirming that “though the funding for health may not adequately cover for all needs, there has to be judicious use of the funds.”
Meanwhile, Ms Zuwaira Omar, the contact and mobilization officer for CHRICED said while some WDCs are not aware of their full responsibilities, some have been educated on their roles and responsibilities for accountability demands in their PHCs.
“The WDCs have to work collaboratively with the officer in charge of their PHCs to send their demands to the Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board (KSPHMB) in so as to have their demands met.” She said.
