Abia’s rural families face significant challenges in accessing healthcare due to dilapidated clinics and absent of doctors in Usaka (Ikwuano LGA), Ovim (Isuikwuato LGA), and Ndudu (Arochukwu LGA.)
This crisis has led to a significant shortage of medical professionals and essential equipment in rural areas.
Pregnant women in rural areas, particularly in Abia State, Nigeria, face significant challenges in accessing quality healthcare due to dilapidated clinics and absent doctors. This has led to perilous choices for mothers, who often lack essential tools and medication.
Speaking to Mrs Blessing one of the pregnant women in this community said” that they do not have enough medications to administer to them, that most times their vaccines are not given to them when they are supposed to because of lack of enough medications for the pregnant women.
Also adding that they have been attended only by a community health worker, due to the absence of a trained midwife and proper facilities, which they have a trained nurse that refuses to come and attend to the work which she is paid for and allows on the community worker alone to suffer.
The lack of skilled personnel and hygienic conditions turns childbirth into a terrifying gamble in this community.
Poorly maintained healthcare facilities can compromise patient care and safety, Also Lack of medical professionals in rural areas exacerbates healthcare challenges.
Health workers in rural areas face unimaginable challenges, particularly Community Health Workers (CHEWs) who are dedicated to their communities yet struggle to provide basic care due to lack of essential resources.
“Speaking to Mrs Amarachi owobe in her words she said that she is not happy with the working environment she finds her self, no light, no water, working equipment and no professional nurse or doctor to work with her that she does all this by herself and pleaded that Government and other private sectors should come to their Aide”.
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The deplorable state of health facilities in Abia’s rural communities, such as Usaka in Ikwuano Local Government Area (LGA), Ovim in Isuikwuato LGA, and Ndudu in Arochukwu LGA, is a pressing concern.
However, it’s worth noting that these communities have been dealing with additional challenges, such as border disputes and violence. For instance, the Ariam/Usaka region of Ikwuano LGA has been embroiled in a conflict with neighboring Nkari community from Akwa Ibom state, resulting in violence, displacement, and economic hardship.
Local Government Leaders have been urged to provide immediate assistance to affected communities and to also provide immediate assistance to affected communities.
This story was produced for the Frontline Investigative Program and supported by the Africa Data Hub and Orodata Science.
