Medical staff and patients have voiced grave concerns regarding the dire state of the Umuebe/Amaovo Primary Health Centre in the Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. The facility, once a vital resource for the local community, is currently suffering from structural decay, a complete lack of essential medical tools, and significant sanitation issues.
Visitors are frequently forced to wait on wooden benches as the facility lacks basic beds and proper seating. The staff quarters are in a state of disrepair, plagued by pest infestations, while the surrounding grounds are overrun with vegetation and refuse. Local resident Ekene Onwe noted that the centre has effectively collapsed due to administrative negligence, rendering it unable to handle even routine maternal care or emergency stabilization.
Healthcare personnel, led by officer-in-charge Ogochukwu Uto, struggle to provide services without reliable electricity, delivery couches, or examination equipment. Workers are often forced to improvise with outdated gear, a situation that has driven many residents to seek care from unqualified practitioners instead. Mrs. Chinyere Eze, a staff member, highlighted that the lack of power makes conducting night-time deliveries nearly impossible.
The community is now calling on Governor Francis Nwifuru and the state Ministry of Health to prioritize the rehabilitation of the centre. Key demands include the renovation of living quarters, the provision of modern medical supplies, and immediate environmental cleanup to address erosion and waste hazards. Experts warn that unless such primary facilities are fortified, progress in maternal and child health outcomes will continue to stall in rural areas.
