Indabo PHC Residents Demand 24-Hour Healthcare Services Amid Staff Shortages

Residents of Indabo Ward in Wudil Local Government Area, Kano State, are urging authorities to extend services at the local Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) to 24 hours, citing life-threatening delays for pregnant women and other patients needing urgent care at night.

The Indabo PHC, a level 2 Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) facility, currently operates with limited staffing and infrastructure, leaving many without access to critical services after dark. During a recent town hall meeting on January 27, 2026, over 100 residents used a Community Scorecard to assess the facility, highlighting systemic challenges including staff shortages, inadequate water supply, and weak accountability mechanisms.

“We need our PHC to operate 24 hours. Mothers cannot wait until morning. Delays could cost lives,” said Baba Usman, a local resident.

The Chief Imam, Malam Sivil Liman, shared his own experience with the Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA), describing how he was treated rudely when seeking medication and lacked information on where to file a complaint. His account was echoed by others, underscoring gaps in grievance mechanisms and patient rights awareness.

Health workers confirmed that staff shortages severely limit the facility’s ability to provide round-the-clock care. They also reported cases of malnutrition and missed immunisations due to misinformation among caregivers.

The situation at Indabo PHC reflects broader challenges within Nigeria’s Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, particularly in ensuring equitable, high-quality healthcare at the primary level. Functional and responsive PHCs are critical to improving maternal and child health outcomes across the country.

Stakeholders are calling for urgent action to address these gaps, including ensuring adequate staffing for 24-hour operations, improving community awareness of grievance mechanisms, strengthening Ward Development Committees for accountability, and investing in basic infrastructure such as water and drug supply.

“Healthcare is our collective concern,” said Sanusi Muhammad, a participant at the meeting. “If we protect it, we protect the lives of our mothers and children.”