Over 10,000 residents of Mallagum community in Kauru Local Government Area, Kaduna State, continue to face hardship as their only primary healthcare facility remains in a state of decay, despite government claims of funding for health centre upgrades.
A recent monitoring report by Tracka, a civic accountability organisation, revealed that the Mallagum 1 Primary Health Care (PHC) Centre has been neglected for more than two decades. The facility, located approximately 180 kilometres from Kaduna city, serves a large population but has reportedly never been included in state rehabilitation plans.
The Tracka team’s inspection highlighted severe structural deterioration, including cracked walls and a collapsing roof. The report also pointed to a critical shortage of essential medical equipment, raising concerns about patient safety, the welfare of health workers, and the overall quality of healthcare in the area.
“What we found at Mallagum 1 PHC in Kauru LGA is alarming. The facility serves over 10,000 people but has not received rehabilitation in over 20 years,” the report stated.
Reacting to the findings, MonITNG, a civic technology organisation, said the state of the facility underscores a major gap between government budget claims and the realities faced by citizens at the grassroots.
“These conditions endanger lives and highlight a clear disconnect between budget allocations and what residents actually experience,” the organisation said.
For many residents of Mallagum and neighbouring communities, the PHC is the first and only access point for medical care, making its prolonged neglect especially harmful.
MonITNG called for the immediate rehabilitation and upgrade of the facility, stressing that access to quality healthcare should not be limited to urban areas.
“Rural and underserved communities deserve safe, functional, and well-equipped health facilities capable of meeting basic healthcare needs. There is an urgent need to overhaul Mallagum 1 PHC,” the organisation said.
The group also criticised Kaduna State’s health sector spending, noting that despite billions of naira reportedly budgeted annually, many primary healthcare centres remain in ruins.
MonITNG urged Governor Uba Sani to intervene promptly by renovating and equipping health facilities across local and underserved communities, ensuring that public funds translate into real improvements in healthcare delivery.
“We call on the Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, to ensure that investments in health reach the grassroots and genuinely improve access to quality care,” the organisation added.
