Tuberculosis patients in Kaduna State are being forced to receive treatment under trees following the collapse of a specialist health facility once regarded as a key centre for tuberculosis and leprosy management in Northern Nigeria.
The deteriorating condition of the Tuberculosis and Leprosy Health Centre in Narayi, located in Chikun Local Government Area, has raised concerns among health advocates and residents, who warn that patients are being exposed to stigma, harsh weather conditions and inadequate healthcare services.
Reports indicate that years of erosion and infrastructural neglect have rendered much of the facility unusable, forcing healthcare workers to relocate services to a nearby primary healthcare centre. As a result, patients now gather in open spaces to collect medication and receive treatment.
Many patients say the situation has stripped them of privacy and exposed them to discrimination from members of the public.
A tuberculosis patient, Musa Ibrahim, said the former specialist centre allowed patients to seek treatment discreetly, but the current arrangement makes their condition visible to everyone.
According to him, many patients fear being identified because of the social stigma associated with tuberculosis, leading some to avoid treatment altogether.
The once-functional facility reportedly housed inpatient wards, consultation rooms and accommodation for healthcare personnel. However, large sections of the centre have been abandoned after erosion damaged buildings and weakened their foundations.
Healthcare experts have expressed concern that the collapse of the centre could have broader public health implications. They warn that overcrowding at primary healthcare facilities may increase the risk of disease transmission and discourage patients from adhering to treatment schedules.
Tuberculosis remains one of Nigeria’s major public health challenges, with health authorities stressing the importance of early diagnosis, consistent treatment and patient support to prevent the emergence of drug-resistant strains of the disease.
Residents and health advocates are calling on the Kaduna State Government and relevant health agencies to urgently rehabilitate the Narayi facility and restore specialised services for tuberculosis and leprosy patients.
They argue that rebuilding the centre would not only improve healthcare delivery but also help preserve the dignity and privacy of patients who depend on its services.
The development has renewed concerns about the state of healthcare infrastructure in parts of the country, particularly facilities dedicated to managing infectious diseases and other specialised medical conditions.
