A community-based organization, Golden Generation Women for Sound Health and Development Initiative (Goshen Foundation), has called on the Lokoja Local Government Authority to urgently address critical staffing and resource gaps at Banda Primary Health Care (PHC) Centre.
The appeal was made Tuesday during an advocacy visit to the Lokoja Local Government Secretariat, where the Foundation, represented by its Programme Officer, Oluremi Haruna, on behalf of Executive Director Susan Atinuke presented findings from its Community-Led Monitoring (CLM) activities.
Goshen Foundation, which implements CLM initiatives to strengthen access to quality healthcare services across Kogi State, revealed that Banda PHC, a major healthcare facility serving Banda community and surrounding settlements, is currently operating with only one health worker.
According to the Foundation, the situation has significantly undermined the delivery of essential health services, particularly in areas such as HIV, tuberculosis (TB), maternal and child healthcare, and other primary healthcare interventions.
“The staffing shortage has adversely affected service availability, increased workload on the lone health worker, and limited access to timely and quality healthcare services for the community,” Haruna said.
She noted that findings from community consultations and facility assessments indicated that the lack of adequate personnel and medical supplies continues to hinder effective healthcare delivery at the facility.
The advocacy team, which included members of the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN) and representatives of the media, urged the local government authority to deploy additional qualified health workers, provide essential medical supplies, and strengthen referral systems for improved service delivery.
They also emphasized the need for sustained collaboration between government, civil society groups, and community stakeholders to enhance healthcare access and outcomes.
Receiving the delegation, the Director of Primary Health Care in Lokoja local government authority, Muhammed Buchi, commended the Foundation for its proactive engagement and commitment to improving community health.
Buchi acknowledged that the staffing challenge at Banda PHC is a serious concern, noting that inadequate human resources remain a major issue affecting primary healthcare facilities, especially in rural and underserved communities.
He disclosed that the Local Government is engaging relevant authorities to facilitate the recruitment and deployment of additional healthcare workers to strengthen service delivery across PHC centres.
While citing financial constraints and the impact of ongoing political activities on administrative processes, Buchi assured the delegation that their concerns would be formally communicated to the Local Government Chairman for necessary action.
He also encouraged community members to support the facility by volunteering in non-clinical roles to help sustain basic operations pending government intervention.
The advocacy visit is part of Goshen Foundation’s broader effort to promote accountability, strengthen healthcare systems, and improve health outcomes through community-driven monitoring and engagement.