Residents of Kajola community in Ondo East Local Government Area of Ondo State are facing severe hardship as their only primary health centre has reportedly been overtaken by bats, following prolonged neglect and deteriorating infrastructure.
The once-functional facility has now fallen into a state of disrepair, with broken windows, overgrown surroundings, and unsanitary conditions that residents say have made it unfit for medical use. Community members describe the development as a serious setback to healthcare delivery in the area.
The situation has particularly affected pregnant women, children, and the elderly, who now have limited or no access to basic healthcare services. Many residents are said to be resorting to self-medication or visiting traditional healers, raising fears over preventable health complications.
Speaking on the condition of the facility, residents expressed frustration over what they described as years of abandonment. One community member, Mr. Babajide Ajayi, said the health centre, which once served the community effectively, has now been taken over by bats, with unbearable stench and unhygienic conditions making it impossible for use.
Another resident, Mrs. Sade, who visited the facility while ill, described the experience as distressing, noting that patients are forced to endure poor conditions due to the absence of alternative healthcare services in the community.
Concerns have also been raised over the state’s health sector funding. The Ondo State Government reportedly allocated about ₦59 billion to the health sector in its 2026 budget, tagged the “Budget of Economic Consolidation.” However, reports indicate that only about ₦6 billion was spent in the first quarter, with most of the expenditure going to recurrent costs such as salaries and allowances, while capital projects received minimal attention.
The development has intensified criticism over the poor condition of primary healthcare centres across rural communities in the state, with the Kajola facility becoming a symbol of infrastructural decay and neglect.
Public health advocates have warned that continued deterioration of such facilities could worsen maternal and child health outcomes and increase the risk of preventable disease outbreaks.
They are calling on the state government to urgently prioritize rehabilitation, staffing, and equipping of primary healthcare centres, especially in rural areas, to restore confidence in the healthcare system and prevent further loss of lives.
