Index to Nigerian Newspapers

In Batsari, a farming settlement with over 120,000 residents in Gwarzo Local Government Area, the sole health facility has been non-functional for five years, forcing locals to resort to a makeshift clinic in the District Head’s compound. District Head Muhammad Salisu Jibrin expressed urgency in addressing the community's health needs, stating that silence would lead to complete healthcare deprivation. This temporary clinic serves approximately five neighbourhoods and handles 30 to 40 patients daily, managed by a Community Health Extension Worker (CHEW) who addresses basic health issues like malaria and basic antenatal care. However, emergencies necessitate long and costly travel to distant hospitals, a burden for families, particularly in critical situations like childbirth, as detailed in accounts from residents such as Aminu Salisu Jibrin and Basira Jibrin. The inadequacies of the clinic are evident: it lacks maternity services, proper equipment, running water, and electricity. Community members stress the dire need for a permanent health facility with qualified staff and better resources, highlighting ongoing challenges in healthcare access not only in Batsari but also in similar areas like Yan-Kifi town of Gari, where residents face the same struggles with inadequate medical services and reliance on distant facilities.