Patients Left On Bare Floors As Kebbi Health Centre Lacks Equipment —Civic Group Cries Out Over ‘Total Abandonment’

Acivic accountability organisation, MonITNG, has raised the alarm over the appalling condition of the only Primary Health Care (PHC) facility in Gidan Dabi, a community in Augie Local Government Area of Kebbi State, describing it as a clear reflection of misplaced priorities in governance and healthcare delivery.

Following a recent visit to the centre, MonITNG said the facility presented a picture of “total neglect and abandonment,” leaving patients and health workers to grapple with conditions unfit for even the most basic medical care.

The group noted that the waiting room, which is meant to provide comfort to patients, is practically bare, with little or no furniture.

“A visit to the centre paints a sad picture of neglect and abandonment. The waiting room, meant to provide a semblance of comfort to patients and caregivers, has little or no furniture,” it said.

“Patients are left to sit on improvised seats or even stand for long hours while awaiting medical attention. This not only exposes them to further stress but also strips the facility of the dignity expected of a healthcare centre.”

The group said the “absence of essential equipment further compounds the problem”.

It added, “From examination beds to basic diagnostic tools, the facility lacks the critical resources needed for effective healthcare delivery.

“Health workers, who remain committed despite these challenges, are left frustrated as they struggle to save lives with almost nothing to work with. Their efforts are consistently undermined by the glaring lack of support and resources.”

MonITNG did not mince words about the larger implications, insisting that the rot at Gidan Dabi PHC exposes the government’s skewed spending priorities.

“For a community that depends solely on this facility, the consequences are severe. Mothers, children, the elderly, and vulnerable groups bear the brunt of the situation, often forced to endure long delays, inadequate care, or seek alternatives far from their community at higher costs,” the group said.

“Many residents are discouraged from even visiting the centre due to its poor state, leaving preventable conditions untreated until they become emergencies.

“The situation at Gidan Dabi PHC is a clear reflection of misplaced priorities in governance and healthcare delivery. While billions are allocated to projects with little or no impact on the lives of ordinary citizens, the most basic need—access to quality healthcare—remains neglected. A functioning PHC should not be a luxury but a right for every citizen, regardless of where they live.”

The group called for urgent government intervention to provide adequate furniture, essential medical equipment, and sufficient personnel to restore confidence in the facility.

It warned that leaving the PHC in its current state not only endangers lives but also weakens the grassroots healthcare system.

“Urgent action is needed to equip this centre with the necessary furniture, medical tools, and adequate personnel. Restoring confidence in the facility would not only encourage more people to seek timely medical care but also strengthen the health system at the grassroots level,” the group added.

“Healthcare should never be about survival of the fittest. Gidan Dabi deserves better.”