After a brief introduction on the importance of clean water in reducing the spread of COVID-19 by Ifeoma, she also mentioned that several health workers have contracted the virus due to the lack of Personal Protective Equipment in health care and handwashing facilities
The recorded oral interview from different health workers on the state of their health facility in a different location in Enugu was played. Interview from the Hospital administrator of Enugu State Hospital management Board was also played to ensure that the government provides water in health centres to protect health workers and patients.
He reaffirmed that water is one of the most important interventions in healthcare delivery. He affirmed that the Enugu State water policy has made it mandatory that water must be provided to every secondary Health Care Facility in Enugu State and the government is focusing first on all General Hospitals with the general hospitals in Agbani, Nsukka, Enugu Ezike and Udi already mapped out for water provision
The four health workers attested to not having clean safe water, they look for alternative means to get water. I.e relying on rainwater and buying from water vendors. They also confirmed that they do not have access to safe toilet facilities which lead to open defecation most of the time because there’s no water to maintain the toilet for those that have one.
What were the experiences you had when reaching out to these health workers?
Ogene: The condition of most of the health centres was shocking, they had no access to safe water. They purchase water with no aid from the government
What is the state of the general hospital in Agbani?
Our team member that went there came with a similar report. When I visited Okata General hospital, we looked for the nurse for two days to open the hospital, patients need to come with water from your house to the hospital.
Imagine being delivered of a baby in a hospital without water. Water is needed to protect the child from infections.
Ogene: This is not restricted to the government, other individuals and organisations can play a supporting role by providing WASH facilities to these hospitals. There is a huge distinction in the service rendered by private owned hospitals and government-owned hospitals
Is it ideal for the state assembly to be in recess right now, bearing in mind that they should do everything possible to fast track whatever document that has to do with the availability of water and improving the health system in the state?
Ogene: there are other means they could meet, especially relating to issues that affect the health of the people. there is e-governance where people can meet and make decisions online. Since there are means for them to make a decision there is no reason for the state assembly to be in recess.
Are you saying that the government has not taken it as a priority to ensure these things (water) are made available to the people?
Ogene: They haven’t. Multi-sectoral stakeholders should be engaged to reduce the government workload. The commitments stated by the Hospital Administrator is not enough because we are used to the unfulfilling promises from the government
How many civil societies have come out to put a public bill (petition) to ensure there’s the availability of water in health care systems across the state?
Ogene: Not every civil society is focused on the health sector. However, with what Hope Spring is doing, recommendations and feedback like these are what we need to develop because we need facts to work with. It is now on the people to start speaking up, we say “claim” which means to speak up, try to claim what is yours and the right to water is one of the very important things citizens need to claim.
How many civil societies have come out to put a public bill (petition) to ensure there’s the availability of water in health care systems across the state?
Ogene: Not every civil society is focused on the health sector. However, with what Hope Spring is doing, recommendations and feedback like these are what we need to develop because we need facts to work with. It is now on the people to start speaking up, we say “claim” which means to speak up, try to claim what is yours and the right to water is one of the very important things citizens need to claim.
The projects initiated by the government should be monitored by you and me to ensure that contractors that have been awarded these projects deliver in the right standard/prototype.
Ogene: Since government officials rarely use these facilities, citizens duties and responsibilities in ensuring that these projects are executed. It is time to engage the government by speaking up and holding the government accountable. No one would know the plight of your community if you don’t speak up
Caller responses
Decency from Agbani – Agbani General Hospital does not have doctors standing to attend to the needs of patients. I couldn’t get any services in the last two weeks for my wife who was in labour because there was no doctor on ground. I was referred to a private hospital where I was charged heavily, I’ve been in the hospital for about two weeks because I can’t pay for the bills. From the road to the facility, everything is dilapidated.
Anthony from Owelli Court – the government only uses us to win elections. They promised us they were going to fix the borehole in Ogugu, but unfortunately, nothing has been done. The health centre at Owelli Court is like a desert, there are no doctors to attend to patients. After all the promises made by the government, organizations that focus on accountability should follow up these commitments and ensure that they are monitored.
Claim your water rights team will be revisiting Agbani general hospital and visiting Owelli court health centre as reported by the caller.