The organisation noted that despite billions of naira allocated to health in the state budget, more than 64 per cent of health facilities across Imo State are reportedly in ruins.
Civic tech organisation, MonITNG, has raised the alarm over the deteriorating state of primary healthcare facilities in Imo State, citing Umuoma Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Nekede as a stark example of systemic neglect.
In a report released on Thursday, MonITNG described the condition of Umuoma PHC as “a disturbing example of the collapse of primary healthcare in the state.”
The organisation noted that despite billions of naira allocated to health in the state budget, more than 64 per cent of health facilities across Imo State are reportedly in ruins.
According to the report, the prolonged neglect of primary healthcare infrastructure has denied many residents access to safe, affordable and quality healthcare at the community level.
MonITNG said a visit by its Tracka team to the Umuoma community revealed that the facility is structurally unsafe and clearly unfit for effective service delivery.
"The condition of Umuoma Primary Health Centre in Nekede, Imo State, is a disturbing example of the collapse of primary healthcare in the state,” the report read.
"Despite billions of naira allocated to health in the state budget, more than 64% of health facilities across Imo State remain in ruins.
"This continued neglect has denied many residents access to safe, affordable, and quality healthcare at the community level.
"When the Tracka team visited the Umuoma community, we discovered the shocking and terrible state of this facility. Umuoma PHC is structurally unsafe and clearly unfit for service delivery,” the report added.
The organisation listed several safety concerns at the health centre, including the absence of perimeter fencing, which it said exposes patients, health workers and medical equipment to serious security risks, particularly at night.
It added that multiple ceilings in the building have collapsed, while visible cracks run through the walls, raising grave concerns about the safety of both staff and patients.
"The compound is not fenced, exposing patients, health workers, and medical equipment to serious security risks, especially at night.
"Several ceilings have collapsed, while visible cracks run through the walls, raising grave concerns about the safety of both staff and patients.”
Despite the hazardous conditions, MonITNG noted that residents continue to rely on the Umuoma PHC because it is the closest healthcare facility available to the community.
Quoting the officer in charge of the centre, the report said community members still seek medical care there daily, even though the building is no longer suitable for healthcare services.
“This reflects the desperation of communities forced to choose between unsafe care and no care at all,” the organisation stated.
Emphasising that healthcare is a basic human right, MonITNG called on relevant authorities to take urgent action.
The organisation urged the Imo State Government, Governor Hope Uzodinma, Hon. Victor Osigwe, the Minister of Health, Muhammad Pate, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, and the Federal Ministry of Health to prioritise the reconstruction, equipping and proper staffing of the Umuoma Primary Health Centre.
“Healthcare is a basic right. The people of Imo State deserve better,” the report stressed.