Amanze Chinonye
A field visit by the Tracka accountability platform has revealed the shocking condition of the Ikot Obio Edim Primary Health Centre (PHC), exposing severe gaps in rural healthcare delivery despite Akwa Ibom State’s ambitious 2025 budget and declaration of a health emergency, Prime Business Africa reports.
The team found the facility in near-total disrepair: roofs leak during rainfall, ceilings are collapsing, and doors have been eaten away by termites.
The theatre, crucial for medical procedures, is completely unusable. Inside, only two beds with worn-out mattresses are available, without proper bedding. The inpatient ward is non-functional, forcing health workers to attend to patients in the outpatient area.
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Sanitation is equally alarming. Patients and staff rely on a pit latrine, exposing them to serious health risks. Parts of the ward have reportedly been converted into storage for dry firewood for staff use rather than for patient care. More than seven surrounding communities depend on this PHC. When more than two patients require admission, others are forced to sleep on mats, sit on chairs overnight, or lie on the bare floor.
The human cost is evident: pregnant women face unsafe delivery conditions, children experience delays in essential care, and emergencies often result in dangerous journeys to distant hospitals.
Akwa Ibom State originally approved its 2025 budget at ₦955 billion, described as the “Budget of Consolidation and Expansion.” A supplementary appropriation of ₦695 billion later brought the total to ₦1.65 trillion, the largest in the state’s history. Governor Umo Eno declared a health emergency as part of efforts to accelerate healthcare reforms in the 2025 fiscal year.
While a detailed line-by-line health allocation within the revised budget has not been publicly released, analysts report that Akwa Ibom consistently commits 11–11.6% of its total budget to healthcare, above the national average of 5.7%, though still below the 15% Abuja Declaration benchmark.
Internal reports suggest around ₦63.9 billion was earmarked for healthcare in 2025, including ₦1.8 billion for the State Health Insurance Scheme. Planned reforms include upgrading PHCs across the state, recruiting over 2,000 healthcare staff, and enhancing infrastructure and equipment at primary and secondary facilities.
Despite these allocations and reform plans, Ikot Obio Edim PHC remains debilitated, with dilapidated infrastructure, limited beds and equipment, and poor sanitation. This situation raises urgent questions about budget implementation, priority setting, and accountability at the local level.
Tracka has called on Governor Pastor Umo Eno, the Akwa Ibom State Government, and Health Commissioner Muhammad Pate to urgently renovate the PHC, provide proper sanitation facilities, equip the facility adequately, and ensure health funds reach the communities that depend on them.
“Our people deserve dignified healthcare,” the organisation emphasised highlighting a growing disconnect between policy commitments and realities on the ground.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
