The Rotary Club of Wuse Central, Abuja, has renovated the antenatal unit of the Jahi Primary Health Care Centre (PHC), in a landmark intervention aimed at improving maternal and child health outcomes in the community.
The renovation project aligns with Rotary International’s global July theme, Maternal and Child Health and is part of the Club’s 2025–2026 Rotary Year, themed “United for Good.” The theme underscores Rotary’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery for underserved populations.
Jahi, a growing urban district in Phase 2 of Abuja located northwest of the city centre, is home to a burgeoning population but suffers from gaps in health infrastructure and social amenities.
Speaking at the official commissioning of the refurbished clinic, the president of the Rotary Club of Wuse Central, Rotarian Folashade Samuels said the initiative was born out of a personal visit to the facility, where she encountered deplorable conditions.
“When I visited the facility, the antenatal unit was in a terrible state. The ceiling was leaking, there were no fans or furniture and pregnant women were forced to sit or lie on the floor during visits,” she said.
Moved by the condition of the clinic and the urgent needs of expectant mothers, Samuels mobilised club members and partners to adopt the antenatal ward for renovation. The intervention included replacing damaged ceilings, repainting, installing lighting and fans and providing beds, chairs, curtains and other essential furnishings to create a safe and dignified space for maternal care.
“This goes beyond just donating items. This is about creating a lasting impact. We are building a foundation that supports quality healthcare,” she said. “Though we planned for a hundred mothers today, even more turned up. Thankfully, the new space can now accommodate them.”
Samuels emphasised that Rotary receives no government funding. “Everything we do is through donor support and volunteerism. We rely on goodwill,” she said. “If we get more sponsors, we hope to extend this effort to other critical sections like the labour ward and postnatal unit.”
The project was implemented with the support of other club members, including Rotarian Fonohomi Idriss, who served as the Project Chair for the Rotary Year. He reiterated that Rotary’s interventions are meant to complement government efforts, not replace them.
“We observed the dire condition of this clinic and chose to step in. We brought in beds, mama kits, chairs, boots, cots, curtains – everything to restore dignity to mothers seeking care,” he said.
In a poignant and symbolic moment, a woman gave birth during the outreach, becoming the first official beneficiary of the new beds and donated materials.
Rotarian Dr. Rex Hagen, a major donor and president-elect of the club, said the project reinforces Rotary’s mission of supporting community-led development.
“Health is wealth,” Hagen said. “When communities are empowered with clean, safe health facilities, outcomes improve across the board. Our message is that the government must also step up its commitment to primary healthcare.”
The club also distributed over 100 mama kits, mosquito nets, baby cots and blankets to the attendees, attracting a large turnout of expectant and new mothers from across the Jahi community and surrounding settlements.
The chief nursing officer of the facility, Rose Ajala expressed deep appreciation for the intervention, describing it as transformational.
“We are beyond grateful. Before now, the roof leaked, there were no nets, no proper beds. It wasn’t suitable for antenatal services. But now, Rotary has completely changed that,” she said. “The mothers are visibly happier and it has boosted staff morale.”
Ajala appealed to other non-governmental organisations and private entities to emulate Rotary’s model.
“This is only one facility among many. We need more partners to help improve our health system. The government cannot do it alone. Elected officials must also show up for their communities,” she said.
The event concluded with a call to action for more civic participation in healthcare development, as the Rotary Club reaffirmed its commitment to annual interventions and long-term engagement with the Jahi community.
