Fresh paint, old problems: Unfinished story of a Kaduna health centre

Across Nigeria, billions of naira have been invested in revitalising primary healthcare centres as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery, reduce maternal and child deaths and bring essential medical services closer to communities. In Kaduna State, the Narayi Primary Health Care Centre stands as one of the beneficiaries of this intervention, with residents and health workers pointing to improved infrastructure, expanded services, increased staffing and round-the-clock healthcare delivery as evidence of progress, DEBORAH TOLU-KOLAWOLE writes

Balancing her three-month-old baby carefully on her back, Tina Julius navigated the muddy road leading to Narayi Primary Health Care Centre in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The morning rain had left deep puddles along the route, forcing mothers carrying babies to tread cautiously towards the facility.

For Tina, however, the difficult journey was still preferable to what she endured a few years ago.

Back then, accessing healthcare often meant travelling long distances, waiting for hours at overcrowded facilities and sometimes returning home without receiving the care she needed.

Today, she visits a renovated primary healthcare centre that now operates round the clock and serves thousands of residents across Narayi and neighbouring communities.

“We are grateful for the renovation. There is improved service delivery. There are more health workers. The renovation really helped,” she told our correspondent.

Like many residents, Tina has witnessed how investments in primary healthcare have transformed access to medical services in her community.

Yet as she approached the freshly painted buildings, another reality came into view.

Behind the facility, a widening erosion channel cuts through the landscape. Nearby, a stagnant river carrying refuse emits an unpleasant odour that drifts into parts of the hospital compound.

For residents, the contrast is impossible to ignore.

Inside the facility are visible signs of progress — solar-powered electricity, expanded services and increased staffing.

Outside are environmental and infrastructure challenges that many fear could undermine those gains if left unaddressed.

“I want my children to come to a clean and safe hospital,” Tina said.

“A hospital should look clean and inviting.”

Among those who have benefited from the improvements is 32-year-old mother of four, Aisha Musa, who regularly visits the facility for child immunisation and family planning services.

Sitting outside the maternity unit while waiting for her appointment, she recalled the difficulties women in the community faced before the renovation.

“Before the renovation, many of us did not come here regularly because there were not enough services and sometimes you would come and not find what you needed,” she said.

According to her, women often travelled to other facilities for family planning services, while routine immunisation could be stressful due to limited personnel and inadequate infrastructure.

“Now things are better. We bring our children for immunisation here and the nurses attend to us well. Women can also get family planning services without going far,” she said.

Aisha added that the availability of healthcare workers at all hours had increased confidence among residents.

“If a child becomes sick at night or a pregnant woman has a problem, there are people here to attend to them. Before, many people would rush to bigger hospitals or private clinics because this place was not fully functional.”

For her, the biggest benefit is peace of mind.

“We feel safer knowing there is a hospital nearby that can help us when we need care.”

By mid-morning, the waiting area of Narayi Primary Health Care Centre was filled with mothers carrying babies wrapped tightly against their backs.

Some waited for immunisation appointments. Others sought treatment for fever, cough and other ailments.

Nurses moved briskly between consulting rooms and immunisation wards while health workers attended to a steady stream of patients.

For many residents, the scene represents a remarkable turnaround.

The facility, revitalised under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, now bears little resemblance to what existed a few years ago.

Fresh paint covers the buildings. Solar panels provide electricity alongside power from Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company and a standby generator. Essential equipment has been provided and staffing strengthened.

The Officer-in-Charge of the facility, Phebe Joseph, said the impact has been significant.

“The impacts of the renovation on the people in the community have been significant,” she said.

Before the intervention, she explained, the facility struggled with inadequate infrastructure and limited services.

“Before, the facility was not well equipped.

“Our services were limited and could not adequately meet the healthcare needs of the community.”

Today, the situation is markedly different.

“As a result of the renovation, the services have now expanded to 24-hour service.

“At all times now, we have staff on duty to render services to people in the community.”

The facility now serves residents from Narayi, Banawa, High Cost, Shagari Low Cost, Karji and neighbouring communities.

Healthcare workers say more women are accessing antenatal care, family planning and child health services, while immunisation uptake has improved due to easier access to care.

Environmental Challenges Threaten Progress

Despite the improvements, significant environmental challenges remain.

Behind the facility lies a large erosion channel that has continued to expand during successive rainy seasons. Parts of the surrounding land have already been affected, while residents worry about the long-term implications for the facility.

The stagnant river behind the hospital also emits an unpleasant odour, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.

Tina expressed concern about the environmental conditions surrounding the facility.

“Behind the hospital, all kinds of things are being dumped into the river, and the smell is drifting into the hospital compound,” she said.

“Right now, both the staff and people coming for treatment are not safe because of the environmental conditions around the facility.”

During a visit to the facility, sections of the surrounding area showed visible signs of erosion, while residents said flooding becomes more severe during the rainy season.

“The back of the hospital has already been badly ravaged by erosion,” Tina said.

“And now that we are in the rainy season, something urgent needs to be done.”

Healthcare workers share similar concerns.

Joseph disclosed that flooding had previously damaged important records within the facility.

“We lost many of our documents as a result of the floods,” she said.