The Impact of Primary Health Care in the Grassroots

Public health requires both preventive and curative measures. Preventive measures ensures cleanliness and sanitation, the provision, most especially, in the formative years of childhood, the care and feeding which strengthens the body's resistance against diseases. This is in addition to curative measures that facilitates treatment from diseases.

The Health departments of Local Governments have been found wanting as regards the above mentioned, even though there are regular advancements in social conscience and medical knowledge. The unavailability of supply of potable water in several communities in Local Governments is a major challenge. Residents resort to doubtful sources to meet their water needs. Constructed boreholes are yet to meet the expectations of the people. Most communities are dirty and unkempt as a result of the docile nature of Local Government workers. Refuse are dumped indiscriminately and everyone carry on as if all is well. Children and expectant Mothers have tales of woes to tell at the Primary Health Care centers, while Governments at all levels keep mum.

The dearth of qualified Medical Professionals in several Local Government Areas of the Federation is a set back, even as the reduction of the incidence of malaria by 80 per cent is a mirage. Indeed, the Primary Health Care program ought to be the cornerstone of the health policy of a focused administration, however, the lack of appropriate skills by primary health workers is just one among the several pointers that this is not so.