Residents of Bari‑Bari Community Protest Dilapidated Primary Health Centre in Abaji, FCT!

Residents of Bari‑Bari Community Protest Dilapidated Primary Health Centre in Abaji, FCT!

Reported by Mustapha Labake Omowumi | Sele Media Africa Journalist

Residents of the Bari‑Bari community in Gurdi ward, Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have raised alarm over the deplorable state of their primary health centre, describing the facility as unfit for service and a danger to public health.
Community members say the health centre has long been neglected, with physical structures deteriorating and essential services virtually non‑existent. Residents lament that what should have been a lifeline for basic healthcare has instead become a source of frustration and risk for the population it is meant to serve.
Local leaders revealed that years of neglect have left the facility in a near‑collapse state, with crumbling walls, broken fixtures, and a lack of basic equipment forcing many residents to seek care far from home. Some community members fear that without swift government intervention, preventable illnesses and maternal health emergencies could lead to loss of lives.
This situation in Bari‑Bari mirrors broader challenges facing rural primary health centres across the FCT. Despite significant government allocations to healthcare, many rural PHCs continue to lack basic medicines, functional infrastructure, and adequate staffing rendering them ineffective as first points of care for residents in remote settlements.
Health advocates argue that neglected rural clinics not only undermine national health goals but also leave vulnerable populations exposed to rising risks of disease, especially among pregnant women, children, and the elderly. They insist that rehabilitating these facilities must be prioritised to prevent avoidable deaths and boost grassroots health outcomes.
Residents are now calling on the FCT Administration, Abaji Area Council authorities, and relevant health agencies to rehabilitate the Bari‑Bari health centre, equip it with necessary medical supplies, and post qualified health workers to ensure basic healthcare needs are met.

Citations:
1.Daily Trust https://dailytrust.com/reptiles-take-over-fct-health-centre

2.THR News https://thrnews.ng/despite-huge-allocations-fct-primary-health-centres-fail-rural-communities

About The Author

Mustapha Labake Omowumi

author

Mustapha Labake Omowumi is a journalist from Ibadan, Oyo State, and a graduate of the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) in Economics and Mathematics. He demonstrates a strong commitment to professional journalism, with a keen interest in writing and storytelling, guided by principles of self-discipline, accuracy, and trustworthiness.

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