Mbaitoli, Imo – MonITNG, a civic monitoring group has spotlighted the dire condition of a primary health care (PHC) facility in rural Imo State, raising fresh concerns about the effectiveness of the federal government's ambitious revitalization initiative amid ongoing reports of abandoned clinics across the country.

The Umunneato Ishi-Ogwa Health Centre in Mbaitoli Local Government Area (LGA), intended to serve over 2,000 residents, has been described as a "neglected and unsafe structure" overrun by weeds, reptiles, and debris.

Photos shared by the civic platform focused on tracking public projects, show cracked walls, broken windows, leaking roofs, and abandoned rooms unfit for medical use.

The facility lacks electricity, equipment, functional wards, and on-site medical personnel, forcing locals to seek care elsewhere or forgo treatment entirely.

In a post on X Monday, MonITNG called on the Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, local representative Hon. Ifunanya Lactus Nwanegwo, and Federal Health Minister Muhammad Pate, urging immediate intervention.

"What should be a place of care and healing has become a neglected and unsafe structure," MonITNG stated, noting that, "Primary healthcare is the first line of defence, and citizens deserve safe, functional centres close to home."

The exposure comes as part of MonITNG's nationwide monitoring of PHCs under the federal revitalization program, highlighting "deeply disturbing" conditions in Imo State despite annual billions allocated to health.

A similar alert from affiliated group Tracka earlier noted the centre's decay persisting for over six years, with collapsed ceilings, shattered windows, and no staff or equipment.

Residents reportedly face barriers to emergency and maternal care, exacerbating health risks in the community.

This case echoes broader issues in Imo State and beyond.

A 2024 report detailed the abandonment of the Ogwa community health centre, where locals lamented overgrown premises and lack of services, forcing travel to distant facilities.

Nationwide, the civic groups have documented neglected PHCs in states like Lagos, Ebonyi, and Akwa Ibom, including Ibowon PHC in Epe with broken infrastructure and understaffing, and Akpaka PHC in Ebonyi abandoned for four years without equipment or power.

The revelations come against the backdrop of Nigeria's Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), launched in 2023 to revitalize 17,600 PHCs over four years, aiming for at least one functional Level 2 facility per ward.

Coordinated by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the program emphasizes infrastructure upgrades, solar power, staffing, and equipment in underserved areas.

As of December 2025, 2,125 PHCs have been fully revitalized, with 2,774 ongoing across 172 LGAs in 33 states.

This builds on earlier efforts, such as the 2017 pledge to renovate 10,000 PHCs, which fell short due to underfunding and weak accountability.

Experts argue that while the initiative shows promise, rural areas like Mbaitoli often lag behind urban investments.

Imo State officials have not yet responded to the latest alert.

MonITNG's call aligns with demands for the NPHCDA, Federal Ministry of Health, and state governments to enforce the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) disbursements, set at ₦32.9 billion for Q4 2025.

As Nigeria pushes toward universal health coverage, cases like Umunneato underscore the need for equitable resource allocation.

"Healthcare is a right, not a privilege," MonITNG emphasized.