By Dalena Reporters l January 2, 2026
ETIM EKPO, AKWA IBOM STATE — Residents of Etim Ekpo Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State have raised serious concerns about the deteriorating condition of the Mathew Udo Ekpo Memorial Health Centre, a facility that once served thousands of people but has reportedly been abandoned and left in disrepair, undermining access to essential healthcare in the region.
Community members described the health centre as a growing “public hazard” rather than a functioning medical facility, saying the building’s advanced decay including structural damage and lack of maintenance poses risks to patients and residents who depend on primary healthcare services. They emphasised that rather than being a place of healing, the neglected structure now stands as a dangerous eyesore and health risk.
The abandonment of the facility reflects broader challenges facing primary health services in Akwa Ibom State, where many such centres struggle with neglect, inadequate infrastructure and insufficient staffing. Reports from civic organisations and media investigations indicate that some primary health centres (PHCs) in the state are in advanced states of decay, lacking proper equipment, reliable power and basic medical supplies, forcing residents to travel long distances for even routine care.
Residents expressed frustration that despite government allocations and public commitments to improve healthcare infrastructure including past plans for a statewide health insurance scheme and other healthcare initiatives essential services remain inaccessible in rural communities like Etim Ekpo. They argued that continued neglect not only endangers lives but also deepens inequalities for underserved populations, particularly pregnant women, children and the elderly.
Public health advocates say the situation at the Mathew Udo Ekpo centre is symptomatic of a larger pattern of abandoned and under‑resourced health facilities across the region, where many PHCs fall far short of national or international standards for primary care delivery and community health.
As calls for action grow louder, community leaders are urging state health authorities to intervene either by restoring and re‑equipping the facility or reallocating resources to ensure accessible, quality healthcare for residents who currently face barriers to timely medical attention.