The Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunisation and Nutrition, has urged local government areas in Gombe State to prioritise healthcare infrastructure in their budgets.
The group made this call on Tuesday at a media briefing on the Global Fund malaria community-led monitoring project implemented by ACOMIN in Gombe State.
Delivering the address, Gombe State Coordinator of ACOMIN Hassana Maisanda, decried the worsening decay across some facilities, urging government agencies to increase investments to mitigate collapse.
She said, “Through this medium, we wish to mobilise Government Agencies, the private sector, mass media and communities to increase investments in upgrading and maintenance of the much-needed facilities.
“During the ongoing implementation of the community-led monitoring project, it was observed that many health facilities are housed in aging buildings that have significantly deteriorated over time.
“These structures often exhibit visible cracks and leaks, and roofs are on the verge of collapse, raising serious safety concerns for patients and healthcare workers.
“The compromised states of these buildings not only undermine the quality of healthcare services but also deter community members from seeking care. Many of these facilities are long overdue for extensive renovations or complete rebuilding to meet the required standards of safety, functionality, and patient comfort.”
Maisanda also lamented the inadequate medical equipment in some facilities, noting that there are also significant issues with the lack of functional medical devices in some primary healthcare centres.
“These include essential diagnostic tools such as weighing scales, sphygmomanometers, and thermometers. Without these functioning devices, healthcare workers are unable to perform basic procedures, which then result in delays and misdiagnoses.
“When PHCs consistently fail to meet patients’ needs due to a lack of medical equipment, communities lose trust in the healthcare system. As a consequence, patients travel to better-equipped facilities or private clinics to access necessary diagnostic and treatment services, which lead to increased out-of-pocket expenses,” she added.
The coordinator frowned at power shortage, noting that frequent power outages significantly strain healthcare delivery, particularly impacting services during nighttime, adding “The lack of generators or alternative power supplies plunge the facilities into darkness, interrupting critical medical procedures, delaying diagnoses, and risking patient lives.
“When power is lost, laboratory tests are delayed and even basic lighting in treatment rooms may be unavailable. Healthcare staff are then forced to either wait for power to be restored or refer patients to other facilities. This situation not only prolongs patients’ wait time but also demoralises healthcare staff, who find themselves unable to perform their duties effectively.”
On inadequate water supply, Maisanda described the ongoing lack of water supply in some facilities as a persistent issue, stressing that insufficient access to clean water raises the risk of infections, “hinders patient recovery, and compromises overall public health.
“Additionally, this situation increases the burden on healthcare staff, who must search for water sources, ultimately reducing their morale and efficiency.
These issues compromise service delivery and erode the morale of healthcare workers who strive to provide quality care under increasingly challenging conditions,” the coordinator disclosed.
Speaking earlier, State Programme Officer Samuel Chuwang, commended the executive directors of the various community-based organisations, urging them to show more commitment.
He noted that ACOMIN has recorded tremendous achievements in Gombe State, especially the implementing Local Government Areas, adding “We should rise to the expectations by showing funders that even when support stops the programme can continue.
