The state of the Community Primary Health Centre Umueze, Amaimo, in Ikeduru Local Government Area (LGA) has been described as pitiful, raising serious concerns about healthcare delivery in the area.
Residents and community leaders have expressed deep dissatisfaction with the deplorable conditions of the health facility, which serves as a critical point of care for the local population.
One of the most pressing issues is the poor accessibility to the health center. The road leading to the facility is rough and almost impassable, making it difficult for patients, especially those in urgent need, to reach the center.
This challenge is compounded during the rainy season when the road becomes even more treacherous, further isolating the community from essential healthcare services.
Inside the health center, conditions are equally troubling. The facility lacks window nets, exposing patients to mosquito bites and increasing the risk of malaria transmission.
The maternity room, which should be a safe and sterile environment for childbirth, is instead described as conducive to infections. Such conditions pose a significant threat to the health and safety of mothers and newborns.
Moreover, the health center suffers from inadequate infrastructure and resources. Male and female patients are forced to share the same ward due to a shortage of furniture, compromising privacy and dignity.
The toilet facilities are dysfunctional as they cannot flush because there is no running water, and there is no access to potable water within the center. These deficiencies highlight a severe neglect of basic hygiene and sanitation standards.
His Royal Highness, Eze Innocent Eleagu, the traditional ruler of Umueze community, lamented the state of the health center, bluntly stating that the facility “has no hospital.”
His remarks underscore the gap between the community’s healthcare needs and the current capacity of the center to meet those needs.
The absence of stable electricity, with power supply occurring only once every six months or so, further cripples the center’s ability to provide adequate medical care.
Echoing these concerns, Prof. Joakin Nwaokoro, President-General of the Umueze Progressive
Union Home and Abroad, described the health center as “almost nonexistent.”
He emphasized the urgent need for government intervention and called on the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, to prioritize the development of rural communities like Umueze.
According to Prof. Nwaokoro, improving healthcare infrastructure is essential to ensuring the well-being of the community.
The deplorable state of the Community Primary Health Centre Umueze is a clarion call to action for both local and state authorities.
Without immediate attention and investment, the health and lives of the people in Ikeduru LGA remain at risk. The community’s plea highlights the broader issue of rural healthcare neglect, which requires comprehensive policy responses and sustainable development efforts.