Fika community in Yobe state has decried the poor state of health facilities in the area, which is posing threat to the antenatal care in the area.
Some concerned citizens of the area raised the alarm Wednesday in an interview with newsmen, where they also pointed out that the state of the road leading to the community’s general hospital is pathetic.
Alhaji Madu Ibrahim, one of the indigenes of Fika who spoke on behalf of the community, lamented the state of the health facilities as well as the high rate of miscarriages and life-threatening incidents involving expectant mothers and children in the town.
He pointed out that all those incidences can be avoided if there had been adequate and functional healthcare facilities
According to him, the only general hospital in the town lacks ambulance for the conveyance of patients in case of referral as well as a functional mortuary for the safe keeping of dead bodies.
He observed that “what worries us most is that the State Health Commissioner, Dr. Muhammad Bello Kawuwa is an indigene of Fika local government and the Executive Secretary of the Hospitals Management Board Dr. Garba Musa is also hails from the local government.
“But, we wonder why our heath facilities are suffering neglect and we always vote in favor of APC from top to bottom,” he lamented.
Another concerned female resident, Mrs Amina Musa, who is a mother of three, said she had never gone for antenatal care, preferring to give birth at home because of the deplorable condition of the hospital.
“I don’t go for any antenatal classes, because it is not safe and comfortable there. I prefer the traditional method where I get the required attention and give birth safely,” she said.
She, however, said that she had two miscarriages due to lack of health facility before she was able to give birth to her first child.
The community appealed to the state government and other partners to assist residents with social amenities so as to enable sound healthcare service delivery in the area.
