IMPROVING ACCESS TO CLEAN RELIABLE ENERGY FOR PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CENTRES IN NIGERIA: SITUATION ANALYSIS OF PHCS IN THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY

Abstract

Over time Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) across Nigeria have been characterized by infrastructural decay, loss of health inventory, unavailable medical equipment, poor staffing and working conditions. In most PHCs, vaccines are either unavailable or cannot be properly stored. Lack of clean potable water is another major challenge. Medical staffs are forced to source for water from local vendors without knowing the source or quality of such water. Where boreholes exist, many are either broken down or are not powered. In addition, several PHCs are unable to render services beyond 5 p.m. due to lack of power to provide illumination at night. Medical personnel therefore rely on rechargeable lamps, kerosene lanterns, or petrol powered generators for night emergencies.