WAF seeks stakeholders, govt collaboration to revamp Ogun PHCs

The Wellness Africa Foundation (WAF) has raised concerns over the alarming conditions of Ebute Igbooro Primary Healthcare Centre in Yewa North Local Government of Ogun State, stressing the critical need for immediate intervention to address the challenges faced by these facilities.

The NGO has pointed out the dilapidated infrastructure, lack of essential medical equipment, and insufficient staff as major obstacles hindering the delivery of effective healthcare services in the PHC, which is meant to serve over 25 neighbouring communities.

Against this deficit, WAF in collaboration with the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) and LEAP Africa, urged relevant bodies and individuals to collaborate with the Ogun State government to refurbish all primary health centres across the state, to improve and bring healthcare closer to underserved communities in the state.

The organisations made the call on Saturday during a community sensitisation and stakeholder engagement at the palace of the Elebute of Ebute-Igbooro, Oba Amusa Adetunji Dosunmu, where they provided free medical care to residents.

WAF’s Executive Director, Mr. Akintunde Akinmolayan, said the campaign, themed ‘Advocacy for the Revamp of Primary Health Centres in Ogun State’ is aimed at leveraging media and technology to advocate state and non-state actors to revamp and strengthen primary health centres across the state.

Akimolayan, while addressing members of the community, expressed deep concern over the deplorable state of the Ebute Health Centre, urging stakeholders to partner with Ogun State to revamp the facility, and other similar PHCs in Ogun State.

He said: “There is an urgent need for intervention to address the dilapidated infrastructure, lack of essential medical equipment, and insufficient staff to meet the healthcare needs of the residents of Ogun State.

“We are appealing to the state government and non-state actors, including private sector partners, NGOs, and international health organisations, we urge them to collaborate with the state government in the rehabilitation of these health centres.

“Restoring these health facilities to full functionality is not just a necessity for providing quality healthcare to these rural areas, but a step toward improving overall community well-being, reducing preventable illnesses, and ensuring access to essential health services, particularly for the vulnerable and underserved populations.

Speaking at the event, the Iyalode of Ebute Igbo-Oro, Ajarat Bankole, revealed that residents now travel kilometres to private clinics for medical care due to the poor condition of the health centre.

Also, the Chairman of Ebute-Igbooro Community Development Association, Yinusa Bankole, alleged that when he visited the centre some weeks ago, there were merely medications to give out.