In a surreal twist of fate, Primary Health Centers (PHCs) scattered across select local government councils of Taraba state, as observed by our reporter, have fallen victim to an unexpected invasion.

Not by neglect alone, but by a curious combination of overgrown vegetation and indigenous reptiles.

What was once a beacon of healthcare now resembles scenes from a dystopian film, as these structures stand cloaked in nature’s embrace, seemingly forgotten by time and care.

The haunting sight has stirred more than just curiosity; it has ignited concerns among locals who once relied on these facilities for medical assistance.

Once-prominent symbols of healing, the buildings now languish beneath towering weeds and entangled vines, their windows obscured by a dense foliage that casts an eerie shadow over the landscape.

Adding to the surreal atmosphere, reports from residents and health workers paint a picture of reptilian residents now claiming ownership within the abandoned confines of these PHCs.

Cold-blooded creatures, such as snakes, lizards, rats among others, that were once confined to the wild, now roam freely within the halls, unperturbed by their unlikely sanctuary.

For residents of Ardo-kola, Bali, and Donga local government councils, the transformation of these health centres into wilderness outposts has sparked a blend of curiosity and trepidation.

Their concerns were observed to have ranged from ecological impacts of unchecked growth to the safety risks posed by cohabiting with untamed wildlife.

As authorities grapple with this unprecedented scenario, calls for action, as noticed by our reporter who recently visited some facilities across the aforementioned local government councils, reverberate throughout the community.

Whether through targeted cleanup initiatives or comprehensive environmental restoration efforts, it’s evident that decisive steps are needed to reclaim these abandoned spaces and restore balance to the ecosystem.

In Lagos Buban community, Donga, where one of the most affected PHCs lies in disrepair, residents lament the deteriorating conditions that have forced them to seek medical care elsewhere.

Adama Sale and Chinonso Godwin, echoing the sentiments of many, plead for urgent intervention to address the alarming state of their local healthcare facilities.

They noted that the situation is becoming unbearable for the people of the community, hence the need for the government to as a matter of urgency come to their rescue.

They were observed to have been called on well to do individuals and Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), to join forces with the government in order to assist in berating the PHC.

Health workers who also voiced out their feelings on the conditions of anonymity, alleged that the lukewarm attitudes of the government towards PHCs, have compelled majority of the workers to abandon their duty post for greener pastures.

Citing the incessant brain drain in the health, one of extension workers, observed that health workers will not cease from seeking for alternative means of living pending when the authority inserts the right peg in the right hole.

” Because of the poor situation, most of my colleagues have transferred their services elsewhere, and some have even left this state to other parts of the country where they have been offered mouth-wetting jobs”.

The worker who also claimed that some of his colleagues have left the shore of Nigeria, said” I must confess to you that as soon as my plans work out, I will as well dump this work for a job that will be more rewarding.”

Perplexed by the abandonment of PHCs across the state, Community leaders who also spoke with our reporter, implore the incumbent government to initiate measures for revitalization.

Sani Addo emphasizes the urgent need for government intervention, highlighting the potential health risks posed by the proliferation of weeds and reptiles within these structures.

Like Addo, another community leader who gave his name as Hassan Jiba, said the reptiles that have taken over the facilities have not only become a menace to the PHCs, but also a threat to the entire communities.

“Could you believe that some of our children who recently went hunting for rats in one of the facilities that have been taken over by grasses, ended up being beaten by snakes?”

The community leader who claimed that the community youths in the past are often mobilized to clear the weeds, said the reverse is now the case ” because of lack of motivation.”

Stating that” if the government of the day will try and engage our jobless youths to be clearing the bushy facilities, I believe it would go a long way in addressing this problem.

Dr. Tukura Nyigwa, Executive Secretary of the Taraba State Primary Health Care Development Agency, reassures communities of ongoing efforts to revive the PHCs.

One of the numerous PHcs gradually being overrun by weeds

With Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas’s commitment to bolstering the health sector, according to him, there’s optimism that these neglected centres will soon witness a much-needed resurgence, reclaiming their role as pillars of healthcare within Taraba state.

This story was produced with the support of the Frontline Investigative Program and supported by the Africa Data Hub and Orodata Science.