Residents demand restoration of FCT health center

Community in Gwagwalada Expresses Frustration Over Neglected Health Center

Residents of the Gurfata community, located in the Ibwa ward of Gwagwalada Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have raised concerns about the deteriorating condition of their local health center. The facility, which was once a vital resource for the community, is now described as an ‘eyesore’ by locals. Its poor state has forced many patients to seek medical care in neighboring areas, such as Ibwa.

The health center, built several years ago, has fallen into disrepair, with both its infrastructure and medical equipment in a critical condition. Benjamin Yakubu, a member of the community, shared his frustration with Abuja Metro, stating that the center is the only facility available to the residents but has not received any government support for renovations. He highlighted that even pregnant women, who require antenatal care, are compelled to travel to nearby communities like Ibwa and Paiko for treatment.

“Pregnant women must travel to neighboring villages for care and often deliver their babies there because of the state of our center,” Yakubu said. He also mentioned that before the facility reached its current state, it was managed by a single volunteer, further emphasizing the lack of proper staffing and resources.

Yakubu added that the community, through its village chief, has written multiple letters to the area council authorities, but no action has been taken. This lack of response has left residents feeling neglected and abandoned by the government.

Another community elder, Danjuma Habaku, echoed these sentiments, expressing concern over the challenges faced by residents, especially during the rainy season. He explained that when it rains, the roads leading to neighboring villages become impassable, leaving patients stranded and unable to access essential medical care.

“When it rains, patients who need to travel to Ibwa find the roads blocked or muddy. They become stranded and cannot access the medical treatment they desperately need,” Habaku said. He urged the council authorities to take immediate action to repair the health center and provide qualified personnel to manage the facility.

An official from the council’s Works Department, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that there is a mechanism in place to repair broken boreholes across various communities. “There is an arrangement to repair boreholes in several villages, including Gurfata. We are simply waiting for the council to release the funds so we can deploy workers to the affected areas,” the official said.

The source also revealed that the rehabilitation of dilapidated health centers is included in the council’s current budget. However, the lack of funding and delayed action continue to hinder progress.

Despite the council’s stated plans, the residents of Gurfata remain skeptical about the effectiveness of these measures. They believe that without immediate intervention, the situation will continue to worsen, affecting the health and well-being of the entire community.

The call for action from the community highlights the urgent need for government attention and investment in rural healthcare facilities. Without proper maintenance and resources, these centers will continue to fail those who depend on them most.