A field-based research work to assess the readiness of the Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) to receive, store and effectively administer vaccines has revealed that 80 percent of PHCs in 15 states do not meet National Primary Health Care Development Agency’s (NPHCDA) standard which makes them unfit for COVID-19 vaccination administration.
The research investigations and tracking conducted by a civil society organisation, Connected Development (CODE), has revealed that 90 PHCs across 15 states from the six geo-political zones in the country were randomly selected coupled with an online campaign, was launched to advocate for transparency in the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and equally drive for the standardization of PHCs.
The report also stated that, after three months of fieldwork and data analysis, CODE found that at least 80 percent of the 90 health centres fall below the minimum PHC standard set by the NPHCDA, with their grossly dilapidated infrastructure, poor and inadequate staffing as well as their incapacity to administer vaccines.
“For instance, two out of every 10 facilities do not have any form of electricity; they supplement natural light with lanterns or torchlights. Thirty percent have no access to clean water, thus relying on water from sources like wells and rain water, stored in tanks. With regards to vaccines’ storage and administration, only 56 out of the 90 PHCs assessed have the recommended pharmaceutical fridge to host vaccines,” the report stated.
The report also revealed that some PHCs have shown effort into providing minimum standard health services. CODE found that the common service denominator amongst all the PHCs is that 90 percent of the facilities provide ante-natal and maternity care.
