An Assessment of Women and the impact of Primary Healthcare Centres in Lagos, Nigeria.

Abstract

The milestones of strategic plans and ceaseless efforts by various state and non-state actors to making the MDGs attainable by 2015 require a serious evaluation particularly in the developing countries where most of the development challenge lies. With health constituting three out of the eight MDGs and the remaining goals hinging on health as well, the need to put health at the forefront of any development agenda cannot be overemphasised. Also, women are more vulnerable to health problems especially at the grassroots in Africa where standard PHCs could be said to be virtually absent. This study generally considers women assessments of primary healthcare centres in Lagos and specifically looks into necessary actions to be taken to increase the citizens’ level of confidence in PHC services. Hundred (100) women were interviewed in the pilot LCDA using convenience sampling method and questionnaire technique. The result reveals that most women basically give preference to on-time attention, quality service and accessibility in choosing health care facilities whereas most PHCs do not have the key features. In order to make sustainable development a reality, it is recommended that government should make PHCs more patient-oriented by making the facilities accessible, giving adequate attention to the quality of health practitioners at the PHCs and sensitize the public on the latest development at the PHCs.