ACE Charity has expressed deep concern over the poor state of health care system in Waru Community, located in the suburbs of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) Abuja
The Foundation in a signed statement by its , Kiki James, founder, ACE Charity said, the foundation is advocating for the strengthening of health care system in the community which is home to over 3000 people.
“Waru community, which is located in the suburbs of Abuja, is home to 3000 people, and has a camp for the Internally Displaced Persons. The community is plagued with malaria and typhoid cases, resulting in out-of-pocket expenditures, a heavy financial burden to Waru community members.
“A needs assessment conducted by ACE Charity at the Primary Healthcare Centre in Waru revealed an insufficient number of wards and beds for patients, thin and worn out mattresses, and a lack of necessary medical equipment including a PCV machine.”
The statement also quoted one of the nurses to have revealed that the health center was in need of “an autoclave, a steriliser and a suction machine. We need delivery equipment. The delivery bed we have is bad and is also very low, which is inadequate for the baby.”
James continued that “primary healthcare centres are essential to achieving universal healthcare, and are a crucial part of the health system that provide essential and comprehensive health care to patients.
“They serve as the first point of contact to improve the health, wellbeing and quality of life of community members. Additionally, PHCs provide antenatal and postnatal services to women, and are thus vital for the prevention of maternal and neonatal deaths.
“Therefore, our Nigerian government must strengthen the health systems in rural communities like Waru, primarily because of the high maternal and neonatal mortality in Nigeria,” said James.
Relating how they found the deplorable state of the PHC, James said, “our team initially went to Waru community for a mobile clinic project. We usually go to rural communities with volunteer doctors and essential medical supplies to set up mobile clinics, and provide free and essential medical services to community members”.
According to the foundation, one of its health projects is the ‘Soap for Hope’ project, where it recycle soaps discarded by the Hilton and donate same to women in rural communities to improve personal hygiene.
“We also donated 1000 packs of these soaps to the women of the Waru community. We also provided them with sanitary pads, towels, and discarded bedsheets from the Hilton,” she said.
The foundation however called for the placement of doctors at the PHC to reduce the workload on the few medical personnel present, the provision of essential medical equipment and capacity building of its medical staff.
“Everyone deserves access to quality, affordable healthcare services, and we want to make that possible,” James stated.
