3 years after, Wassa IDPs seek reopening of PHC

Residents of the Wassa Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have appealed to the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) to reopen the Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in the camp which was closed down in 2022, leaving them, especially women and children, without access to essential medical services. It was gathered […]

Residents of the Wassa Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have appealed to the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) to reopen the Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in the camp which was closed down in 2022, leaving them, especially women and children, without access to essential medical services.

It was gathered that the centre, donated in 2016 by a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, was shut down after a dispute arose between residents and a doctor posted to the facility by the FCT Administration (FCTA), leading authorities to withdraw the doctor and close the centre.

Some of the IDPs said that although they acknowledged their role in the incident and submitted letters of apology as requested, the PHC had remained shut, thereby worsening health challenges in the camp.

Malam Usman Ibrahim, vice chairman of the camp, said, “Lack of access to healthcare has become a major burden for us, especially for women and children, who now travel long distances for treatment or rely on unregulated providers.”

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He recalled that, “Some years ago, we had cholera and lost up to 12 children. Some pregnant women also died during childbirth.

“If there is an emergency, we take them to Kabusa, but it is far, and we always contribute money for transport.

“We are pleading with AMAC to help us bring back our doctor or post another one. They should also renovate the place and provide equipment and medicines. If they can do that, we will be happy.”

He explained that the dispute that led to the closure began when a volunteer accused the AMAC-posted doctor of hoarding and selling medicines meant for residents.

Mrs Hafsatu Haman, the women leader of the camp, said the closure had worsened the economic and health conditions of families.

She said, “Often our children lack proper food or balanced meals. When they fall sick, there is no hospital to run to because the only one established for us is no longer operational.”

She appealed to the government, organisations and philanthropists to support families with livelihood opportunities to help reduce malnutrition, school dropout rate and other challenges.

Attempts to reach AMAC officials for comment on the closure of the PHC were unsuccessful. (NAN)