Community Health Watch

Tiwugi Clinic: One Health Worker and No Essentials

1 Mins read

Tiwugi is a remote community in Gbako Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State. The community’s only health clinic provides antenatal, delivery, immunisation and community outreach services, among others. However, only one health worker does all these – Abdullahi Haruna the officer in charge of the clinic. Haruna said he has tried his best to provide all the health services needed by community members, but one person can’t do it all. As a result, he is experiencing extreme burn out.

Haruna revealed that although the building is in good condition, the facility is lacks critical equipment, including beds and a delivery couch. ‘’We lay our patients on a mat,’’ he said, pointing to a room with only mats on the floor inside the clinic. He added that the clinic has no source of water, no functional toilet, and is not connected to electricity, which further hinders delivery of 24-hour service. The clinic constantly experiences stock out of essential drugs, forcing him to sometimes prescribe routine medication for pregnant women. This, according to Muhammad Umar, a community member, is not safe as pregnant women or their husband must travel to Gbako town through the extremely bad roads to get the medications.

Tiwugi Clinic | This Is What Happens When Only One Health Worker Serves The Whole Community

These many challenges have left Tiwugi Clinic incapacitated and the people of Tiwugi community are unable to access healthcare with ease. Primary healthcare is provided by the local government authority through health centers, etc, they are staffed by nurses, midwives, community health officers, health technicians, community health. Anything less is a human right violation.

Tiwugi community members are therefore asking for the following

  1. Recruitment and deployment of additional health workers to the clinic
  2. Provision of equipment such as a delivery couch and beds
  3. Constant availability essential medications
  4. Provision of a portable water source for the clinic
  5. Building of adequate, gender-equitable toilet facilities for the clinic
Related posts
Community Health Watch

Women in Dan Jaka Demand Improved Maternal Healthcare Services

2 Mins read
Laditu Muhammad, a pregnant woman from Unguwar Gatsaitsai district, expresses her frustration for the lack of comprehensive maternal health care in Dan…
Community Health Watch

Community Efforts Not Enough to Salvage Kodo PHC

2 Mins read
Community members have taken it upon themselves to repair their dilapidated Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) facility in Kodo, Wushishi Local Government Area…
Community Health Watch

Strengthening and Addressing Healthcare Inequities in Gwarzo 

2 Mins read
“Despite visiting hospitals, we often find no doctors available. During labour, when medical attention is crucial, we cry for help only to…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *