By Justina Auta
Officials in Kwali Area Council, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have attributed poor patronage of Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) to inadequate manpower and availability of drugs, as well as community reliance on local medications.
They said this during the advocacy visit of members of the COVID-19 Response Mechanism Resilient and Sustainable Systems for Health (C19RM/RSSH) Global Fund Project Advocacy Team (SAT) in Abuja.
The C19RM/RSSH project, is being implemented by the Civil Society for the Eradication of Tuberculosis in Nigeria (TB Network), Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN) and Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunisation and Nutrition (ACOMIN)
Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Kwali Area Council, Mr Jibrin Kamadi said “Inadequate manpower in the health sector is a national issue, but in Kwali, we are severely short-staffed.”
He highlighted ongoing recruitment efforts by Chairman, Mr Danladi Chiya to address manpower challenges.
Cold-chain and Logistics Officer, Mr Aso Abdullahi, noted that manpower and medication gaps forced community members to seek traditional remedies.
“Insufficient manpower and workload may lead to healthcare facilities being closed, discouraging patients.”
Abdullahi stressed the need for community sensitisation to PHC benefits.
Chairman, Ward Development Committee, Mr Alkali Ayuba, assured community support and ownership of projects.
FCT Coordinator for Tuberculosis Network, Mr Nathaniel Salifu, said the C19RM/RSSH project aimed to address health system infrastructure gaps.
FCT Programme Officer, TB Network, Mr Samuel Simon, emphasised community support and ownership through volunteering and advocacy.
