INVESTIGATION: Despite billions of naira spent in the health sector, challenges remain in Osun’s rural PHCs

Despite billions of naira spent on the health sector in Osun State, challenges persist in rural primary healthcare centers. At Agbinpa Primary Healthcare Centre in Ede South Local Government Area, neglected overgrown grass, cracking walls, and unusable sections of the facility indicate years of disrepair. The lone nurse, Mrs. Rashidat Lamidi, runs the center, attending to patients, responding to emergencies, and even buying consumables when stock runs low.

However, the state government has not invested in improving the infrastructure, leaving residents to bear the cost of poor healthcare access. Abdulrahaman Babatunde, a community member, notes that commercial motorcycles rarely traverse the poor road conditions, making healthcare services inaccessible for many. Similarly, in Abudo PHC, residents face a difficult journey of about 16km to reach the facility due to poor road infrastructure.

The facility, even when it was recently renovated, still struggles with basic amenities like electricity and a pharmacy. Chief Alao, a community leader, emphasizes the importance of addressing these issues to improve healthcare access and overall community well-being.