Residents of Lailaba, a rural settlement in Argungu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, continue to depend on a dilapidated health facility, despite the state allocating nearly ₦3 billion to primary healthcare in its 2024 budget.
A recent on-site assessment by MonITNG, a civic accountability organisation, revealed severe neglect of the Primary Health Centre (PHC) serving the Lailaba community. According to the group, the facility is barely functional, lacking basic infrastructure and exposing patients and staff to dangerous and degrading conditions.
The group’s visit documented a long list of failures: a roof caving in, waterlogged wards, decaying beds, and a complete absence of hygiene. During the rainy season, the situation reportedly becomes critical, with rainwater flooding treatment areas and damaging vital medical supplies. “What we saw was shocking,” MonITNG noted in its statement. “No human being should be receiving care in that environment.”
In its appeal, MonITNG called for immediate intervention from the Kebbi State Government, the Ministry of Health, and officials in Argungu LGA. The group emphasized that the current condition of the health centre puts the lives of children, expectant mothers, and the elderly at constant risk. For many residents, traveling to a better-equipped facility is simply not an option due to cost and distance.
Staffing was another major concern raised. According to the report, the few health workers who remain at the facility are overburdened, under-equipped, and demoralized. Many others avoid postings to Lailaba altogether due to the appalling conditions. MonITNG also noted the absence of electricity, clean water, and sufficient medical supplies—conditions that have left the facility barely operational.
This bleak reality stands in stark contrast to public statements made by the Kebbi State Government earlier this year. In April 2025, the state claimed it had completed upgrades on several health centres, renovated one general hospital, equipped 25 centres with hospital beds, and extended solar power to various facilities under the IMPACT Project. However, MonITNG insists that Lailaba’s case paints a very different picture—one of long-standing neglect.
The organisation warned that unless swift and serious action is taken, the consequences could be fatal. “Lailaba residents rely solely on this health centre,” the statement said. “With no viable alternatives, this ongoing neglect is not just a governance failure—it’s a threat to human life.”
The group urged policymakers to go beyond press releases and ensure real improvements reach communities in need. “Healthcare should not be a promise on paper. It must reflect in the lives of citizens, especially in underserved areas like Lailaba. The people deserve access to safe and dignified medical care.”
Checks confirm that the Kebbi State Primary Healthcare Agency received a ₦2.9 billion budgetary allocation for the year 2024.