Residents of Eredo community in Epe Local Government Area, Lagos State, are struggling to access essential healthcare as their only primary health centre, Ibowon Primary Health Centre (PHC), falls into severe disrepair.

The facility, designed to provide first-line medical services, is largely non-functional. Broken windows and doors, a damaged roof, unusable toilets, and outdated or missing medical equipment have left the centre unable to meet the needs of the community. Currently, only one nurse and one doctor serve the growing population.

A visit by civic technology platform MonITNG revealed the stark realities faced by residents. “This facility was tracked during a community monitoring visit that exposed the harsh realities faced by residents of Eredo. What exists on paper does not reflect what is happening on the ground,” the organisation said.

Pregnant women, children, the elderly, and individuals with chronic conditions are the hardest hit. “Women in labour are forced to embark on risky journeys in search of healthcare. Children suffer from treatable illnesses due to lack of prompt attention,” the report noted.

MonITNG also raised concerns about the effectiveness of federal healthcare investments, stating, “At the federal level, billions of naira have reportedly been spent on revamping Nigeria’s health system, strengthening primary healthcare, and improving service delivery. However, the situation at Ibowon PHC raises serious questions about accountability, prioritisation, and the actual impact of these investments on ordinary citizens.”

The organisation called for urgent government intervention. “We urge the Lagos State Government, led by Governor Jiide Sanwoolu, and the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Hon. Monsuru Akinloye, to take immediate action. We also call on the Federal Ministry of Health and relevant agencies to ensure that this facility is renovated, properly equipped, and adequately staffed without further delay,” it said.

MonITNG concluded by stressing the fundamental importance of primary healthcare: “Access to quality primary healthcare is not a privilege. It is a right. Lives in Eredo depend on immediate action.”