By Solanke Ayomideji Taiwo
The Abeokuta North Local Government Authority has issued a detailed clarification in response to a recent PUNCH Healthwise publication concerning the condition and operations of the Ikereku Health Post, describing parts of the report as misleading and not reflective of the facility’s approved scope of services.
In a statement made available to the press, the council acknowledged the role of the media in drawing attention to rural healthcare challenges but stressed the need for accuracy in reporting, particularly on issues relating to staffing, service capacity, and clinical practice at the Ikereku facility.
Historical Context and Operational Status
According to the local government, Ikereku Health Post is one of the oldest public health facilities in Abeokuta North Local Government Area, with origins dating back to the colonial era in the 1940s and 1950s. Over time, the facility reportedly suffered prolonged inactivity due to infrastructural decline, manpower shortages, and population shifts.
Officials explained that the health post had been closed for an extended period before being reopened under the current administration to provide basic daytime primary healthcare services on a limited scale, pending phased upgrading.
The council also noted that the Ikereku community currently has a sparse population due to rural–urban migration, with fewer than ten occupied residential buildings, a factor it says influenced the current level of services available at the facility.
Clarification on Maternity and Night Services
A key issue addressed in the statement concerns claims that the health post conducts night-time deliveries under unsafe conditions. The Abeokuta North Local Government Authority firmly denied this, stating that the facility is neither designated nor staffed to provide 24-hour services or emergency obstetric care.
The council emphasised that Ikereku Health Post operates strictly during daytime hours and has no official night-duty roster. As a basic health post—also known as a dispensary—the facility is designed to provide treatment for minor ailments, immunisation, health education, disease prevention, and referrals.
It is typically staffed by a Junior Community Health Extension Worker and a health attendant, consistent with national primary healthcare guidelines. The authority stressed that the facility is not equipped or authorised to function as a maternity centre.
Pregnant women in labour, particularly at night, are expected to be referred to better-equipped facilities such as the Ilewo-Orile Primary Health Care Centre, located approximately one kilometre from Ikereku.
Reports alleging that deliveries were conducted at night within the health post using torchlights were described by the council as contrary to official policy and not reflective of approved practice. The authority stated that any such incidents, if they occurred, did not take place within the health post itself but may have happened elsewhere in the community outside the facility’s control.
Staffing and Safety Considerations
The local government maintained that the absence of resident doctors, midwives, or 24-hour coverage at the facility is not due to neglect but is a deliberate safety decision pending infrastructural upgrades and manpower expansion.
Current staffing includes a Community Health Extension Worker and a health attendant who resides near the facility. Officials said this arrangement aligns with the approved scope of services for a health post serving a small population.
Infrastructure Challenges
The council acknowledged longstanding infrastructure challenges at the facility, including lack of electricity and water supply, attributing them to community-wide power outages and equipment failure over several years.
However, it stated that these issues are being addressed under the Ogun State Government’s phased “One-Roof” Primary Healthcare revitalisation programme. The initiative aims to strengthen primary healthcare delivery across the state through gradual upgrading of facilities, improved staffing, and restoration of essential services.
The authority explained that the limitations in electricity and water supply are among the reasons night-time services and deliveries are not permitted at the health post.
Community Experiences and Informal Support
While recognising that residents have experienced hardship and historical neglect, the local government said some of the narratives reported may relate to events spanning several years rather than current operational policy.
It also acknowledged the humanitarian efforts of retired health workers and community volunteers who have provided informal assistance to residents in emergencies. However, it cautioned that such voluntary actions should not be interpreted as official health system operations or endorsed clinical practice.
Commitment to Improvement
The Abeokuta North Local Government reiterated its commitment to improving primary healthcare delivery in the area in collaboration with the Ogun State Government. Planned efforts include phased revitalisation of facilities, expansion of maternal and child health services, and ensuring that no health centre operates beyond its safe and approved capacity.
Officials confirmed that Ikereku Health Post remains on the roadmap for upgrading. Until then, the council said it will continue to prioritise patient safety, proper referral systems, and transparent engagement with the community.
Conclusion
While the recent publication has drawn attention to the broader challenges of rural healthcare delivery, the Abeokuta North Local Government Authority insists it is necessary to correct what it described as the false impression that Ikereku Health Post conducts night-time deliveries under unsafe conditions.
According to the council, the facility operates strictly within defined limits and approved guidelines. It reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, continuous improvement, and the health and wellbeing of residents across the local government area.
