A building may be fit for purpose, but without the equipment, utilities and services needed to function, it offers little promise to the thousands who depend on it. This is the reality of Shongo Hamma Health Post in Akko Local Government Area (LGA) in Gombe State.

For many women in Shongo Hamma, these limitations affect when and where they seek maternal care. Two women interviewed for this report, whose names are withheld, started ANC at six and seven months of pregnancy, respectively.

Mrs Michelle Elisha, a senior nurse in the health post, explained that community outreaches often generate interest in antenatal care (ANC), but the facility’s inability to conduct deliveries discourages continued use. “The difference is almost immediately watered down when they learn that we can’t take deliveries.”

Shongo Hamma Health Post was established to serve a targeted population of more than 15,000 people, including residents of Wuro Bando and surrounding communities, a population to be served by a level 2 PHC.

The facility is a Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) focal facility, yet access to sustained funding and essential supplies remains dangerously limited. The health post lacks electricity, water, a usable toilet, and essential medicines. It also has no signpost to help community members locate the facility.

With the distance of over 5KM to the nearest primary health centre (PHC), some women have resorted to traditional birth methods.

The challenges extend to the health workers themselves. Mrs Ladi Abubakar, the officer in charge, said: “I had to buy a Blood pressure machine for antenatal care and a locker to keep our files and ANC equipment in it.”

The facility also relies on its only family planning bed for ANC services, further demonstrating the pressure on available resources.

The conditions at Shongo Hamma Health Post place limitations on the range and quality of services available to a population of more than 15,000 people. Despite its BHCPF status, the facility continues to face significant gaps requiring urgent attention.

Nigeria’s Health Sector Renewal Plan (NHSRII) identifies efficient, equitable and quality healthcare as a priority under its second pillar. The situation at Shongo Hamma highlights the need to translate this commitment into functional services at community level.

The community and people of the Shongo Hamma facility are calling on the policymakers and stakeholders to

• Revitalise and upgrade to a Level 2 Primary Health Centre,
• Provide essential drugs, functional equipment, basic utilities, and
• Strengthen the accountability systems for regular working hours.

For the people of Shongo Hamma, a functional health facility is not simply a building; it is a lifeline.