Abstract
Healthcare delivery in Nigeria is poor despite efforts made by the government and the relevant stakeholders in the health sector. The worst is the primary healthcare service delivery. Studies have shown that many of Nigeria's vulnerable populations depend on primary health care. Unfortunately, primary healthcare in Nigeria and Ebonyi State, in particular, is far from meeting the citizenry's expectations. Primary healthcare in Ebonyi State is characterized by an inadequate supply of healthcare facilities, healthcare consumables and personnel, leading to the overall poor healthcare service delivery, which has resulted in the patronage of quacks with its attendant consequences on the health of the people, hence the need the for community participation as a means of complementing government's efforts in healthcare provisions, especially in the rural areas. The study explored the inherent benefits of community participation towards efficient primary healthcare delivery in Ebonyi State. The study adopted the Participation and Democratic Theory propounded by Pateman (1970) as theoretical framework. Secondary sources of data were employed based on documentary evidence. These include journals, magazines, workshops/seminars, bulletins, periodicals, and e-library materials. The content analytical technique was employed to analyze and synthesize the materials generated for the study. The study observed that community participation provides the opportunity to tap into the rich potentials of community members in providing healthcare needs for the people. This process requires community mobilization, and divergent and robust ideas could be tapped to initiate the desired changes and transformation in the community. The paper also identified the challenges of community participation: communication barriers, literacy level, poor enlightenment, and lack of capacity to participate in development initiatives. Based
on the above, the paper recommended that the state government should prioritize its interest in equipping the community health centres to match its taste of service on the rural dwellers through efficient and effective funding; adequate rural, rugged health workers should be recruited and trained to engage in operation free health for all in the communities; among others.