By Princewill Mbonu/Thechambersnews
Anambra State Community Health workers have been adjudged second best in Nigeria in professional, ethical and modern practices.
This is according to the Community Health Practitioners Registration Board of Nigeria.
Registrar of the board, Dr. Bashir Idris, announced this while speaking at the commencement of a five-day “Mandatory Continuous Professional Development Programme” for Anambra community health workers in Awka, organised by the Community Health Institute.
Speaking on the theme of the event; “Strengthening Nigeria Healthcare system: the role of community health”, Dr. Idris, who spoke through the Deputy Director, Research and Development Community Health Institute, Abuja, Dr. Johanna Wamanyi, charged the health workers to carry themselves as skilled bed attendants who are responsible for caring for the health needs of over 70% of citizens.
Confirming the ranking, the National President, Association of Community Health Practitioners, Alhaji Kahiru, represented by his National Vice President, South East zone, Comrade Thaddeus Ugwu, appreciated Governor Soludo for his achievement in the health sector, which he said has resulted in a tremendous turnaround of the sector, and encouraged health practitioners to utilize the opportunity for capacity upgrade.
In her remark, the Executive Secretary, Anambra State Primary Health Development Agency, Pharmacist Chisom Uchem, explained that the mandatory training is critical in this time of technological shift in health services provision, and acknowledged that the huge successes recorded in primary healthcare centres are indications that Governor Soludo’s prioritizes the needs and welfare of health workers.
For the state Chairperson, Association of Community Health Practitioners of Nigeria, Mrs. Chinyere Edeh, the skills and knowledge passed down at the training will be impacted on over one thousand community health workers through “cascaded workshops” at local government areas.
While appreciating the state government for upgrading health centres across the state, a trainee at the event, Miss. Ijeoma Oba, assured the association that they will implement all that have been taught during the training in all their health facilities.