Healthcare delivery in Taraba State is threatened by the government continuous laxity, WikkiTimes can report.
This ranked the state among 17 others [including Zamfara and Sokoto States] with the worst performing Primary Health Care service delivery.
The administration of Darius Ishaku, Taraba State Governor had humongous claims of revamping health centres in the state.
In February, he claimed to have repositioned over 90 health centres in Taraba, but he lied. This is evident with the recent report earlier referenced.
Kabawa, La’apo, Mayo Gwoi… Details of neglected PHCs
Tracka and Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) — both not-for-profit organisations — during several surveys discovered the horrid state of health centres in Taraba.
The duo, however, called upon the government and other concerned authorities, repeatedly. But they turned deaf hears to them.
Residents of the Kabawa community in Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba State, recently came to limelight when Tracka visited their only PHC and found its disheartening status.
READ: In Taraba PHC, Sticks Are Used In Place Of Drip Stands
According to Tracka, the beds in the facility are not fit for treating patients.
In addition, the facility has no adequate drugs and other medical equipment needed in an ideal health centre.
Bemoaning the deplorable state of the centre, Lawal Magaji, a resident of the community said a quick and well planned intervention could only salvage the the facility.
Magaji while lamenting over the deplorable health condition in Kabawa, added that the community is not an exception as many communities in Taraba State have same or similar problems of accessing quality health care.
According to Magaji, many healthcare centres in Taraba State are in deplorable conditions while some communities do not have healthcare centres.
In Jimlari Primary Health Centre, under Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State, inadequate beddings limit the facility to admit only four patients at once. This is despite the shortage of medical equipment confronting workers in the PHC.
Even with this, sticks are being used in place of drip stands.
At La’apo PHC in Zing LGA, Tracka revealed there were no staff, drugs and medical equipment.
In addition, lack of water and electricity at the facility was parts of the its findings.
Last year October, CJID in its WASH survey, unveiled the business-as-usual state of Iware Ardo PHC In Taraba State where water scarcity, inadequate drugs and staff are emblems of the facility.
Last and still counting, Tracka visited Mayo Gwoi PHC in Jalingo, the capital of Taraba State. Sadly, below are its findings.
Failed intervention by Taraba governor
In 2017, Governor Ishaku flagged off ’Save One Million Lives’ program to ensure all-inclusive healthcare in the state.
Five years after, there are strong indications that the program has failed as epileptic health care services keep dotting Taraba, particularly local communities.
Ladi Isma’il, another resident of Kubawa said women in the community are finding it difficult to access ante-natal care as the health centre in the area has since collapsed.
“In Kabawa, many residents especially pregnant women are suffering, they cannot access ante-natal care, the hospital they depend on has become deplorable and cannot deliver healthcare to the people”, Ladi said.
When contacted, Innocent Vakkai, the Taraba State Commissioner for Health declined to comment about the status of health centres in the state.
After some minutes of grilling, he told WikkiTimes’ reporter to call back on Monday.
