The village of Akoli-Imenyi is a microcosmic example of the health problems affecting rural Nigeria. Located in the state of Abia, Akoli-Imenyi has a population of approximately 50,000 villagers, most of whom are agrarian farmers living in poverty.

There is one elementary school and one secondary school in the village. The majority of the population is over the age of 50; the young move on to the cities as soon as, or often, before, they complete high school. The average per annum income is under $2,000. The nearest medical facility is state-run fifty miles away in Umuahia.

Another state run facility is approximately sixty miles away in Arochukwu. These facilities are ill-equipped and poorly run. On the average, they serve about 200,000 and 50,000 patients respectively.  These hospitals charge for their services and are only able to provide general medical services due to the dearth of modern equipment.

In Akoli-Imenyi, and other surrounding villages, there are no busses and only a tiny minority has motorized transportation. There are available taxis, but they are monstrously expensive. Lacking transportation, it is extraordinarily difficult for the villagers to get to the nearest hospital, and nearly impossible to get there swiftly, should an emergency arise.     

There is virtually no money from the government for health care. The village relies on the state government to provide it with funds for health care and other services, but given the documented governmental corruption in Nigeria, little, if any, money makes its way to Akoli-Imenyi.               

The closest approximation to medical personnel is the local ‘quacks’, who have no medical training and sell illegal patent medicines. The villagers will not complain to the government because it will do no good.               

Tens of deaths occur each passing day among all ages, due to lack of medical attention. Villagers know they are sick, but they keep their illnesses to themselves, until they die, because they cannot afford the cost of medical care, transportation, and the cost of medicines.