Poor network connectivity at the Juo CHPS Compound in the Nanumba North Municipality of the Northern Region is severely affecting the smooth delivery of healthcare services.
Health workers at the facility say they are constantly frustrated by their inability to verify the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) status of patients due to unreliable network service.
This challenge often results in long waiting times and delays in treatment, especially for those who rely solely on the NHIS to access healthcare.
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The nurse in charge of the facility, Haruna Yussif, explained that the verification process has become unpredictable and stressful. He said nurses are sometimes forced to repeatedly attempt verification for a single patient because the system fails to respond.
In some cases, they have no option but to attend to patients without confirmation, creating administrative and financial complications for the facility.
Community members say the situation is worsening their already difficult access to healthcare. Many residents depend heavily on the NHIS because they cannot afford private medical costs.
When verification fails, some are turned away or told to return later, despite the long distances they travel to reach the facility. Patients, including the elderly, pregnant women, and children, are those most affected by the delays.
Health workers and residents are therefore appealing to authorities to urgently improve network connectivity in the area.
They believe fixing the problem will not only ease the burden on nurses but also ensure that residents receive timely and uninterrupted healthcare services. Until then, they fear that preventable suffering will continue in the Juo community.
