By Our Reporter

The Nasarawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency (NAPHDA) has faulted a report by Tracka on the condition of the Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in Wayo community, Wamba Local Government Area, describing it as misleading and exaggerated.

Tracka had alleged that the facility was in a deplorable condition, putting the health and well-being of more than 3,000 residents at risk.

However, NAPHDA, in a rejoinder, maintained that the health centre remains operational and continues to provide healthcare services to members of the community.

The agency acknowledged the importance of independent monitoring and constructive criticism in improving healthcare delivery but argued that Tracka’s report failed to present a balanced picture of the facility’s actual condition and operational status.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Wayo Primary Healthcare Centre is operational and continues to serve the healthcare needs of the community,” the agency stated.

NAPHDA stressed the need to distinguish between a non-functional health facility and one requiring routine maintenance or minor repairs, noting that such concerns should be assessed objectively and addressed through the appropriate channels.

It also cautioned against using photographs of specific facility components, such as toilet facilities, to portray an otherwise operational health centre as a healthcare disaster without adequate context.

The agency further disclosed that Nasarawa State has more than 700 primary healthcare facilities across its communities, adding that the state government has continued to invest in strengthening primary healthcare services.

According to NAPHDA, assessments of the state’s healthcare sector should reflect the broader situation rather than rely on findings from a single facility to suggest widespread failure.

The agency expressed concern that Tracka’s report placed undue emphasis on alleged defects without sufficiently establishing their severity, the centre’s operational status or the context of ongoing maintenance and healthcare delivery.

It warned that such reports could mislead the public, undermine confidence in public institutions and unfairly portray efforts being made to improve healthcare services in the state.

“Monitoring should promote accountability, not sensationalism,” NAPHDA stated, urging Tracka to communicate any identified maintenance needs responsibly to the relevant authorities for verification and necessary action.

The agency consequently called on Tracka to review its claims, provide the full context of its findings and avoid presenting routine maintenance concerns as evidence of a collapsed or non-functional healthcare system without sufficient supporting evidence.

NAPHDA reaffirmed the commitment of the Nasarawa State Government to ensuring that primary healthcare facilities receive appropriate maintenance, adequate staffing and the necessary equipment to serve their communities effectively.

It also reiterated its commitment to transparency, constructive engagement and the continuous improvement of healthcare delivery across the state.

The agency maintained that public-interest reporting should be balanced, factual and evidence-based, stressing that residents of Wayo and other communities deserve accurate information about the state of public healthcare facilities.