Despite a recent renovation, the Model Primary Health Centre (MPHC) in IPO Community, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, is grappling with inadequate staffing, poor medical equipment, and limited laboratory services, raising concerns among residents about access to quality healthcare.
A visit to the facility revealed that although the building has been repainted and remains accessible to residents, critical gaps in personnel and equipment continue to affect service delivery.
The Head of Facility, Ordu Katherine, said the centre provides antenatal care, delivery services, immunisation, family planning and basic laboratory tests for men, women and children. However, she noted that the facility operates without a doctor, nurse or a midwife.
“We have staff challenges. We don’t have doctors here, and we don’t have midwives. We only have community health workers. We need a doctor and a midwife,” she said.
She added that the centre has only one delivery bed, which is old and no longer in good condition.
“We don’t have a good delivery bed. The one we have is just one, and it’s not strong. We need it urgently, and we also need more hospital beds.”
The laboratory unit also faces significant challenges. The laboratory technician, Ajoku Justina, said the laboratory is largely non-functional because of inadequate equipment and funding.
“As you can see for yourself, the lab is not functioning. What I normally do here is only RVS and MP,” she said.
According to her, she is the only laboratory technician in the facility and lacks essential equipment needed to provide quality diagnostic services.
Read Also: https://theportcitynews.com/2026/07/14/diri-expands-workforce-benefits-strengthens-public-service/
“I need a microscope to detect the severity of malaria because the one we are using only shows positive or negative. I bought antiserum for blood grouping, but we need a refrigerator to store it so it will not get spoiled.”
She explained that vaccines are often taken to the Ikwerre Local Government Council because there is no refrigerator to preserve them at the health centre.
Justina also expressed disappointment over inadequate funding after a training programme organised by the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board.
“They listed all the equipment we are supposed to have, but they have not provided them. Sometimes they send about twenty thousand naira and say it is for the laboratory. We need to be empowered, and the laboratory should be equipped.”
Similar concerns were raised in the pharmacy department.
The Head of Pharmacy, Nwagbu Udo, said he is the only staff member in the department, making it difficult to effectively manage pharmaceutical services.
“I’m the only person in this department. If there is any way new staff can be sent here, I will appreciate it.”
He added that the pharmacy lacks basic working tools.
“We do stock-taking with computers, but there is no computer here. There is no air conditioner, and there are no shelves to arrange the drugs. We just pack everything together.”
Although the health centre remains open to residents, community members believe the recent renovation has not translated into improved healthcare services.
The Women Leader of IPO Community, Mrs. Emmanuella Wali, alleged that the renovation focused mainly on repainting the building without providing the equipment and personnel needed to deliver quality healthcare.
“They just brought out some things, repainted or cleaned them and put them back. We were told there would be doctors and nurses to help us, but no one came.”
She said the absence of qualified medical personnel has forced many pregnant women to seek treatment outside the community during emergencies.
“When someone is in labour, they have to rush the person out of the community. There’s nothing like a good hospital here. Many people have been losing their lives.”
Read Also: https://theportcitynews.com/2026/07/14/yvonne-jegede-halts-public-advocacy-after-online-backlash/
Mrs. Wali urged the government to investigate the state of the facility and ensure that public funds allocated to healthcare projects are properly utilised.
The Chief Priest of IPO Community, Chief Kelvin Onyegbule, acknowledged the government’s effort in renovating the building but said the project remains incomplete because the facility lacks the equipment needed to function effectively.
“They have tried by renovating the hospital, but nothing is inside. The governor should know the true situation of our health centre.”
He appealed to the Rivers State Government to complete the project by providing equipment and deploying more healthcare workers.
“The governor should equip our health centre because the people working there are only managing.”
Despite the challenges, some patients expressed satisfaction with the cost of healthcare services.
Residents Blessing and Nakuru, who visited the facility for treatment, said consultation and treatment costs at the centre are affordable, making healthcare accessible to many low-income families in the community.
While affordability remains one of the strengths of the facility, residents say quality healthcare cannot be achieved without adequate staffing, functional medical equipment and improved infrastructure.
For many people in IPO Community, the health centre represents hope. However, they believe that until the facility is fully equipped and staffed with qualified professionals, access to quality primary healthcare will remain a challenge.
