Insecurity Affects 40% of Primary Healthcare in Sokoto East

At the 4th Annual Scientific Conference of the College of Health Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), it was reported that insecurity has crippled 40% of primary healthcare centres in Sokoto East. Isa stated that sustained bandit attacks have forced many residents to abandon their homes, schools, and health facilities, relocating to safer towns like Sokoto and Isa.

This displacement has overstretched healthcare facilities in these safer communities, exacerbating poverty, disrupting farming and commercial activities, and worsening sanitation issues, including open defecation. Alh.

Muhammad Kabiru Cigari, representing the Sultan of Sokoto, called for innovative strategies to extend healthcare services to underserved communities affected by insecurity. Sokoto State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Faruk Abubakar, highlighted the uneven distribution of healthcare workers, with urban primary healthcare centres having up to 80 personnel while some rural facilities operate with only one health worker.

He mentioned the state government's introduction of a two-year compulsory service policy for health professionals trained under state scholarship programmes to address the manpower gap.