Kebbi Health Centre

For the teeming population in Maurida, a town about 15 kilometres away from Birni-Kebbi, the capital city of Kebbi state, an effective public health system is a mirage. For the agrarian community with a population of about 18, 000 people, access to quality healthcare remains a dream because of the dire state of a 22 million naira health centre project that has not seen the light of the day. 

Our team visited the existing dispensary in Maurida town. The old health centre caters to Gulma, Kuka, Nayilwa, Baban Dutse and Makera residents. It was overburdened, with a population of about 50-60 patients per day. It lacked adequate infrastructures like hospital beds and stretchers; patients sat and laid on the bare floor. In the eventuality of serious illness, ailing patients travel 15 kilometres farther to access quality medical care. This further shows the urgent need for a quality healthcare facility in the constituency. 

Between October 2017 and January 2018, Tracka paid several advocacy visits to Maurida to raise awareness on the construction of a primary healthcare centre nominated by Honourable Abdullahi Umar Farouk representing Kalgo/ Bunza/Birnin Kebbi Federal Constituency. During a town hall meeting, the Tracka team distributed printed copies of the 2017 FG Budget to Maurida residents to encourage them to follow up on projects within the community. The village head, Amiru Mohammed Maurida affirmed the knowledge of the inclusion of the project in the 2017 budget but could not ascertain the allocated amount for the project.

Upset by the lack of action despite the large allocation, they wrote letters to their representative,  as well as the ministry of health. In December 2017, the Project Tracking Officer received phone calls from members of Maurida community confirming the presence of construction workers at the project site. By February 2018, work was completed on the health centre, but it remains unequipped. The advocacy continues to ensure that the people of Maurida have a functional healthcare facility.