To the Leaders, Stakeholders, and Concerned Citizens:
It is with deep concern and urgency that I draw attention to the critical state of healthcare in the Kpatinga community and its neighboring villages—Sempemo, Boguya, Tindang, Sugaya, Gugoligu, Kanimo, Labali, Tutung, Nagaga, Zankili, Gbamo, Andani Kurra, Gaa, Yapala, Samang Yapala, Zori, Pisiga, Kpahikpaba, Gumonayili, Nayugu, Vanli, Nakunng, Bulabim, Kunduli, Dayugu Digli, Gbamo, Kutung Kurugu, and Makoli. The situation is dire, and immediate action is necessary to prevent further loss of life.
Critical Healthcare Gaps:
1. *Lives Lost Due to Lack of Blood Transfusion Services:*
– The community is mourning the loss of lives because there is no facility in Kpatinga to perform blood transfusions. This is an essential service that should be available locally to save lives, particularly in emergencies.
2. *Pregnant Women Forced to Travel Long Distances for Scans:*
– Pregnant women in Kpatinga are compelled to travel as far as Gushegu to access pregnancy scanning services. The journey is not only long and arduous, but it also imposes a significant financial burden on these women, who must pay for both transportation and the scan itself. This situation is unacceptable and puts the lives of both mothers and unborn children at great risk.
3. *Absence of a Health Insurance Center:*
– The lack of a health insurance center in Kpatinga forces residents to bear unaffordable costs for basic healthcare services. This is more than an inconvenience; it is a life-threatening situation for many who cannot afford necessary care.
4. *No Maternity Ward:*
– Expectant mothers in Kpatinga are forced to give birth in unsafe conditions or travel long distances to distant facilities. The absence of a maternity ward is putting the lives of both mothers and newborns at significant risk.
5. *Lack of Pregnancy Scanning Services:*
– Women in Kpatinga must travel as far as Gushegu for pregnancy scans, a journey that is both physically and financially taxing. This lack of local services leads to preventable complications and sometimes tragic outcomes.
6. *No Laboratory Technician:*
– Without a laboratory technician, essential diagnostic tests cannot be conducted, leaving many illnesses undiagnosed and untreated, leading to preventable deaths.
7. *No Oxygen Equipment:*
– The absence of oxygen equipment in the health center is particularly dangerous in emergencies, where lack of respiratory support can mean the difference between life and death.
8. *Lack of Quarters for Doctors and Nurses:*
– The absence of proper accommodation for healthcare professionals severely limits the availability of consistent medical services in the community.
9. *Medication Shortages:*
– Persistent shortages of essential medications are exacerbating the health crisis, leaving many residents without the treatments they desperately need.
*A Cry for Help:*
I, T.T. Kamara, urgently appeal to Hon. Alhassan Tampuli, Gushegu District healthy director, Northern Regional health director, Director general and all relevant authorities: Please do not allow the people of Kpatinga to continue suffering in silence. The healthcare deficiencies in this community are a matter of life and death. Immediate intervention is required to provide the basic medical services that every human being deserves.
*A Desperate Call for Action:*
The youth of Kpatinga are planning a peaceful demonstration to demand immediate action from the government. The loss of life due to inadequate healthcare facilities is unacceptable. The people of Kpatinga need urgent support to address these critical gaps and prevent further tragedies.
“We are losing lives because of the lack of basic healthcare services,” said one of the youth leaders. “It is time for the government to take our concerns seriously and act now to provide the healthcare facilities we desperately need.”
The youth of Kpatinga are committed to advocating for their right to quality healthcare and will continue to press for action until these life-threatening gaps are addressed.
Signed:
T T KAMARA
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