The facility lacks essential infrastructure, equipment, and personnel needed to provide lifesaving medical care.
Over 2000 residents of the Burtura community in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State have been left without access to basic healthcare services as the community’s only primary healthcare centre lies in a dilapidated and abandoned state.
The facility lacks essential infrastructure, equipment, and personnel needed to provide lifesaving medical care.
According to a report by Tracka, a civic monitoring initiative, the Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in Burtura lacks essential infrastructure and equipment required for effective healthcare delivery.
“This is PHC Burtura in Bokkos LGA, Plateau State. It serves over 2,000 residents from this community and surrounding neighbourhoods, yet the facility is in a shameful and dilapidated condition, completely unfit to provide basic healthcare,” the report stated.
The report noted that the facility has no electricity, no functional medical equipment, no hospital beds, and lacks even the most basic infrastructure needed to save lives.
During a recent field visit, Tracka said it observed that the centre was barely operational, with limited space and no essential medical supplies.
It added that the facility becomes overwhelmed when more than two patients require care at the same time.
“As a result, residents are frequently referred to distant health facilities, incurring costs many cannot afford.
“Those without the means are forced to rely on self-medication or traditional remedies, a situation that has reportedly led to avoidable loss of lives in the community,” the report added.
Reacting to the findings, a civic technology organisation, MonITNG, expressed concern over the continued neglect of the health centre despite significant public spending on healthcare.
“This reality persists despite the state government budgeting billions of naira annually for the health sector,” MonITNG said in a statement.
“The federal government has also allocated billions for the rehabilitation of primary healthcare centres across Nigeria, yet PHC Burtura remains abandoned and forgotten.”
The organisation stressed that access to healthcare is a fundamental right, not a privilege, and called on relevant authorities to take immediate action.
“We call on the Plateau State government, the Commissioner for Health, and the Federal Ministry of Health to urgently prioritise the rehabilitation, equipping, and proper staffing of this facility. Lives are at stake, and continued neglect is unacceptable,” MonITNG added.