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In 2024, a Community Health Watch reportNigeria Health Watch reported that Marmara PHC in Kano State lacked a working pediatric unit, leading many families to travel between various health centers for urgent care. However, after the establishment of the pediatric ward, the facility now serves 300 children each day from faraway areas and even from the Niger Republic, drawn by better services and free vital medications.

As Zahra’u Abubakar hurried her unconscious son from Sauna-Kawaji to multiple hospitals in Kano, she was racing against time with urgent determination.We visited Sir Sanusi General Hospital, but there were no available beds. Hasiya Bayero Paediatric Hospital held us for several hours before sending us to the Marmara facility.,” she narrates. “When we arrived here, they admitted him right away. The doctor assisted us in obtaining blood quickly, which is what kept him alive..”

Her story represents the experience of numerous caregivers who now turn to Marmara PHC as the initial point where swift intervention brings back hope.

Four months following the inauguration of the new ward, Dr Saka Surajideen, the head officer, revealed that the center serves more than 300 children every day, at no cost.We have provided over ₦20 million in free medicine.,” he said, continuing that “Previously, we would only stabilize patients and send them elsewhere. Now, we admit them and provide treatment right here..”

But challenges persist. “Occasionally, one nurse is responsible for 18 beds during the night.,” he adds.

Paediatric nurse RM Zahriyya Dayyib states, “We treat patients from as far as the Niger Republic and various communities throughout Kano State. We require additional staff and more beds..”

Chief Pharmacist Nafisa Zakariya further stated that “Drug supplies are exhausted before the end of the month. This is caused by the increase in patients due to better infrastructure and improved service delivery. We require quicker restocking to address the demands of the expanding population..”

The children’s ward illustrates whatNigeria’s Healthcare Sector Revitalization Programcan be attained once funding is directed towards primary health centres: increased ability to handle urgent pediatric cases, better availability of medications, and a more effective initial care system for children.

Nevertheless, increasing patient numbers, a shortage of staff, and inconsistent medication availability are putting pressure on the facility. Without further, consistent funding and improvements to the system, Marmara PHC faces the risk of becoming overwhelmed, which could jeopardize the progress achieved thus far. Marmara PHC represents the government’s efforts to provide fair, high-quality primary healthcare, but its difficulties highlight more fundamental issues in workforce allocation, supply chain operations, and service capability.

The neighborhood is formally requesting decision-makers to;

• Increase the number of nurses, lab personnel, and medical professionals to enhance the provision of services.
• Enhance the reliability of medication distribution networks to avoid shortages.

As Dr Surajideen points out, “Timely detection plays a crucial role in effective treatment..” With ongoing operational support, focused investments, and enhanced systems, Marmara PHC can keep providing children not just treatment, but a real opportunity to survive.

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Tagged: Health and Medicine, Nigeria, Children and Youth, West Africa

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