A civic inspection by watchdog group MonITNG has uncovered alarming conditions at the Primary Health Clinic in Rafin Kirya, a remote community in Shanga Local Government Area, Kebbi State.
The report paints a picture of extreme neglect, raising serious questions about the state of rural healthcare infrastructure in the region.
The clinic, which serves hundreds in the surrounding villages, reportedly lacks the most basic necessities: no hospital beds, no medications, no electricity, and no clean water. Patients lie on bare floors, while damaged ceilings allow rainwater into wards.
The facility’s only source of water—a shallow well—often runs dry for months during the dry season.
Without electricity or a working generator, even the most basic medical procedures become nearly impossible. Residents say they frequently travel more than 20 kilometers to nearby towns for healthcare services that should be accessible locally.
The findings are particularly concerning given Kebbi State’s healthcare funding allocations. In 2023 alone, the state reportedly budgeted over N10 billion for healthcare, with additional provisions set for 2024 and 2025.
Despite these allocations, the situation at Rafin Kirya Clinic suggests a disconnect between budgeting and implementation.
The MonITNG report also revealed the limited visible impact of key national and donor-backed health programs in the area. Programs such as the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) and the World Bank’s Save One Million Lives initiative have been operational in Kebbi, yet appear to have made little difference on the ground in Rafin Kirya.
As the gap between policy and practice widens, Rafin Kirya’s clinic stands as a stark example of the challenges still facing primary healthcare centers in Nigeria.
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