Some residents of Lagos State on Sunday called on the Federal, State, and Local Governments to increase funding for Primary Health Centres (PHCs) across the country to ensure their functionality and effectiveness.
They noted that inadequate funding and lack of proper training for PHC staff have placed unnecessary pressure on general hospitals and tertiary health institutions in Lagos State.
This, they said, not only mount more pressure on the general and tertiary hospitals, it results in avoidable expenses on residents and time wasting to assess alternative health care, which most times are detrimental and dire for users.
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Dr Babatunde Ajose, a Lagos State University (LASU) Lecturer and expert in tourism, described the state of most PHCs across the country as deplorable.
“As for Badagry, the local government area should seek external support from the Federal and state governments to revamp the PHCs in the area.
“The local government can as well explore the potentials of accessing the support of development partners and private sector involvement,” he said.
Mr Abiodun Hundeyin, former Deputy Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service urged the three council chairmen in Badagry to meet and take clinical and cursory look at PHCs in their councils.
“They should then make proposals to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for state intervention and collaboration through the its Ministry of Health.
“They should be proactive since they are not able to solely finance and carter to the huge challenges of the health sector,” he said.
Mr Lateef Rasheed, Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Badagry Branch, Lagos, said some PHCs in Badagry communities are trying their best but needed improvement.
According to him, some people in Badagry prefer to go to health care centers for treatment of malaria, typhoid, child birth, and minor ailments.
“I commend the health centre at Ajara (known as Mango).
“What we have in Nigeria are not- so -responsible governments at grassroot levels. No good roads, no water, no light, no encouragement on agriculture, the worst is the health care system.
“Governments at the national, state and local government area levels should fund health care adequately,” he said.
Alhaji Amusa Ara, a Hotelier and former assistant comptroller of Customs, said the health care centres in Badagry communities are below standards.
“The workers at those centers need good orientation and the government should endeavor to train and re-train health officials,” he said.
On PHCs in Lagos state generally, some residents lauded their council chairmen over improvement in their operations, saying that more should be done , and those that needed renovation should be promptly attended to.
Some stakeholders in Ikorodu Area of Lagos state commended the local government authorities for revamping the PHCs in their communities.
Chief Kayode Olomo, Baale Ojogbe, Ikorodu urged the Lagos state government to employ more doctors to make the PHCs more functional and effective.
“Hospitals and PHCs have continued to experience reduction in the number of medical personnel due to the ‘Japa’ syndrome , looking for green pasture abroad,” he said.
Mrs Omotoke Kalejaiye, a resident and expectant mother, urged the local government authority to build more PHCs in strategic areas for easier access.
She said that increase in number of PHCs would stop rural dwellers from the pressure of moving out of their vicinity to seek health support.
News correspondents who visited some of the centres, report that the Ogudu PHC is undergoing renovations, Agboyi Ketu PHC, situated at Agboyi Riverine , has only 5 beds, and offers antenatal care, Immunisation, and family planning services.
The report said that, the PHC in Alapere, Kosofe, local government area, has only four beds, providing antenatal care, Immunisation, and health education.
The Ikosi-Isheri PHC, recently inaugurated, is one of the few that offers advanced healthcare services with 105 beds and over 25 specialised units, including a mini theatre, radiology room, ICU, and laboratory.
Also, some state of the art equipment, including laser surgery tools and digital monitors with reliable power supply were seen at the PHC.
Mrs Bimpe Adeloyo, a resident of Kosofe area said the newly commissioned health care centre had brought hope to residents of the area.
She urged other council chairmen in the state to build such facilities that could give effective treatments to different ailments.
