This is despite claims by the state government that billions of naira have been released to revamp health centres across the state.
Over 10,000 residents of the Mallagum community in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State have been left in distress as their only primary healthcare facility has remained in a deplorable condition for decades.
This is despite claims by the state government that billions of naira have been released to revamp health centres across the state.
This was revealed in a recent monitoring report by Tracka, a civic accountability organisation, which said its team visited communities across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas to assess the state of Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities allegedly earmarked for rehabilitation by the Ministry of Health.
According to the report, the condition of Mallagum 1 Primary Health Care Centre is deeply troubling.
The facility, located about 180 kilometres from Kaduna city, serves a population of over 10,000 people but has not been captured for rehabilitation for more than 20 years.
"What they discovered in Mallagum 1 Primary Health Care Centre, Kauru LGA, Kaduna State, is deeply troubling,” the report stated.
"Located about 180km from Kaduna main city, this facility serves over 10,000 people yet has not been captured for rehabilitation for more than 20 years.”
During the visit, the Tracka team observed extensive structural decay at the centre, including cracked walls and a roof that is falling apart.
The team also reported an alarming shortage of basic medical equipment, raising serious concerns about the safety of patients and health workers and the quality of healthcare services available to residents.
"During the visit, the Tracka team observed cracked walls, a roof that is falling apart, and an alarming shortage of basic medical equipment,” the report added.
Reacting to the findings, civic technology organisation MonITNG said the state of the facility exposes a dangerous gap between government budgetary claims and the realities faced by citizens at the grassroots.
“These conditions put the lives of patients and health workers at risk and show a clear disconnect between budget claims and realities on the ground,” MonITNG said in a statement.
The organisation noted that for many residents of Mallagum and surrounding communities, the primary healthcare centre is the first and only point of access to medical care, making its prolonged neglect particularly devastating.
“For many residents, this centre is the first and only point of access to healthcare,” the statement said.
MonITNG called for the immediate overhaul and rehabilitation of the Mallagum 1 PHC, stressing that access to quality healthcare should not be limited to urban areas.
“There is an urgent need for the immediate overhaul and rehabilitation of Mallagum 1 PHC. Every life matters in Nigeria, and quality healthcare should not be a privilege reserved for urban centres alone,” the organisation stated.
It further emphasised that rural and underserved communities deserve safe, functional, and well-equipped health facilities capable of meeting basic healthcare needs.
The organisation also raised concerns over Kaduna State’s health sector spending, noting that despite billions of naira reportedly budgeted annually by the state government, many primary healthcare centres remain in ruins.
“Despite the billions of naira budgeted annually for health by the Kaduna State Government, many PHCs remain in ruin,” MonITNG said.
The organisation urged Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, to urgently intervene by renovating and equipping health facilities across local and underserved communities and ensuring that public funds translate into tangible improvements in healthcare delivery.
“We call on the Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, to urgently renovate and equip health facilities across local and underserved communities and ensure public funds deliver real impact,” the statement stressed.