For mothers and children in Kinkinau, Kaduna South, the revitalisation of Amina Sambo Primary Health Centre (PHC) is changing the experience of seeking care. Once avoided because of poor conditions, foul smells and inadequate space, the facility is now attracting more patients, with attendance increasing by over 95% following the renovation.

Amina Sambo PHC is a Level 2 Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) focal facility serving Kinkinau and surrounding communities in Kaduna South Local Government Area. Before the renovation, inadequate space, poor environmental conditions, and lack of electricity affected the facility’s ability to provide an enabling environment for patients and health workers. The facility now operates 24 hours daily and has a more spacious and organised environment, while electricity supply has improved significantly.

Amina Isa, who visited Amina Sambo PHC for antenatal care, said the improvements at the facility encouraged her to return for care during her current pregnancy. “I gave birth to my previous child at this facility, and I have returned here for my current delivery because the conditions and services have improved,” she said.

The Officer in Charge, Zulaihat Bello, who has worked at Amina Sambo PHC for the past two years, said the facility’s poor condition had previously discouraged patients from seeking care and from returning after their first visit. “Patients used to avoid the facility because of the foul smell and poor conditions. Many would not return after their first visit. Since the revitalisation, more patients are now coming to the PHC, and we now have electricity for 24 hours, unlike before when there was no power supply,” she said.

Dr Madigu of the Ward Development Committee (WDC) also described the situation before the renovation. “The PHC was in a very bad condition, and many people stopped coming for treatment. We had to reach out to community leaders, the Chairman, and other stakeholders to seek support and intervention. Before the revitalisation, the PHC was smelly, and mosquitoes were everywhere. Many patients stopped coming because the environment was not conducive,” he said.

He added that the facility is considering introducing surgical services to expand access to affordable healthcare. “We want to reduce the financial burden on patients who often pay high costs for surgical procedures at other hospitals,” he said.

The increase in patients’ attendance signals renewed trust in the PHC. Improved infrastructure, electricity and a more conducive environment have strengthened the facility’s capacity to serve the community. The proposed expansion of services could further improve access to affordable care and reduce the need for patients to seek costly services elsewhere.

The transformation at Amina Sambo PHC reflects the objectives of the second pillar of Nigeria’s Health Sector Renewal Initiative (NHSRII), which focuses on building an efficient and quality-driven health system. However, sustaining these gains will require continued investment in infrastructure, staffing, essential services, and community engagement.

State and local health authorities, community leaders and other stakeholders should sustain support for the PHC by:

• Strengthening its workforce and equipment, and
• Support the planned expansion of services to ensure that revitalisation translates into lasting improvements in access and quality of care.

The transformation of Amina Sambo PHC demonstrates that when communities, government and other stakeholders respond to local health needs, neglected facilities can regain public trust and become reliable centres of care.