Evaluation of Point-of-Care Diagnostic Device Availability and Functionality at Primary Health Care Centres in Bayelsa State

Point-of-care diagnostic devices are foundational tools for clinical decision-making at the primary health care level in the Niger Delta, where laboratory services are distant and patient access to referral facilities is limited by geography and cost. This study evaluates the availability and functional status of point-of-care diagnostic devices at fifteen primary health care centres in Bayelsa State, covering facilities in Yenagoa, Sagbama, and Ekeremor LGAs. Devices assessed include malaria rapid diagnostic test kits, HIV rapid test kits, glucometers, haemoglobin meters, urine dipstick test kits, and pregnancy test kits. Device availability was recorded as the proportion of assessed PHC centres stocking each device category. Functional status was evaluated by direct device inspection for battery status, strip and reagent expiry, calibration date documentation, and quality control records. Results show that malaria RDTs were available at all fifteen centres, while glucometers were available at only seven. Haemoglobin meter availability was the lowest of the equipment categories assessed, present at only four centres. Of available glucometers, three had expired test strips and two had no quality control records. HIV test kit stock was available at all fifteen centres but quality control documentation was present at only six. The study demonstrates that critical diagnostic device availability is uneven and that quality assurance practices are inadequate across the Bayelsa State PHC network. Recommendations target the Bayelsa State Primary Health Care Board for device standardization, buffer stock management, and quality assurance protocol implementation. Keywords: point-of-care diagnostics, primary health care, device availability, quality assurance, Bayelsa State.