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A renewed push to strengthen primary healthcare delivery in Enugu State has placed a fresh spotlight on critical gaps troubling rural health facilities — from chronic staff shortages and empty drug shelves, to deteriorating buildings that endanger both patients and health workers.
This was highlighted at the Enugu State Media Meeting on the Global Fund– supported Malaria Community Engagement and Strategic Initiative (CE-SI) project, implemented by the New-Life Community Care Initiative (NELCCI), with support from the Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunisation, and Nutrition (ACOMIN).
Executive Director of NELCCI and Enugu State Coordinator of ACOMIN, Florence Ifeanyi Aneke, told journalists that despite reforms in the health sector, many communities still face life-threatening service delivery gaps.
She said the impact of poor healthcare is real and immediate.
“Across Nigerian communities, our primary healthcare facilities are under strain. From overworked staff, empty drug shelves to leaking roofs — these challenges threaten essential HIV, TB and malaria services. Mothers walk long distances only to find no nurse on duty. Patients are turned away due to stock-outs. Communities are losing confidence in their local health systems,” she said.
Aneke explained that the CE-SI project helps communities identify these challenges and engage government officials to seek solutions. She said this approach has already yielded results in Enugu State, noting that focused group discussions and advocacy in Mkpologwu led to government action that produced a new health facility for the community. Sensitisation campaigns have also improved awareness and the use of HIV, TB and malaria services.
She urged government agencies, private organisations, philanthropists, media professionals, traditional leaders and community groups to work collectively to improve staffing, ensure steady drug supply, and fix decaying infrastructure. She said only sustained advocacy and investment can transform Nigeria’s struggling health facilities into dependable centres of care.
Assistant State Health Educator at the Enugu State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Uche Igbo, who represented the Executive Secretary, admitted that many facilities still require closer supervision and urgent intervention.
“I am going to relay what is happening in the facilities visited.
addressed, irrespective of the fact that the Governor, Barr Peter Mbah, is already renovating and equipping new facilities.
