NACHPN Calls For Massive Employment Of CHPs As CHPRBN Unveils New Standing Orders For Members

Community Health Practitioners Registration Board of Nigeria, CHPRBN, has unveiled a New Standing Orders for members of the National Association of Community Health Practitioners of Nigeria, NACHPN.

On the occasion in Abuja, the President of the Association, Comrade Kabir Yahaya Ahmed said the unveiling became necessary to strengthen primary healthcare delivery in the country.

“This event marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of healthcare delivery across our nation and I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the Honorable Ministers and the Executive Director of the NPHCDA for their unwavering support in advancing the Renewed Hope agenda of His Excellency, Mr.

In his words “The tireless efforts to restructure and revitalize our healthcare workforce are commendable, and I acknowledge the significant progress being made through step-down training across various zones of our great nation”.

According to him, the initiatives are a testament to the government’s commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian has access to quality healthcare services, regardless of their location.

“Today, as we gather to unveil the new standing orders, we are not merely introducing a set of guidelines; we are laying down a robust framework that will guide the actions, decisions, and practices of community health practitioners across Nigeria and this document represents the culmination of years of hard work, collaboration, and dedication by numerous stakeholders, including government agencies, health professionals, development partners, and community leaders” Comrade Yahaya Ahmed explained.

The President of NACHPN stressed that it is a reflection of the Association’s collective commitment to safeguarding public health, improving service delivery, and strengthening our health systems at all levels.

“The standing orders we unveil today are not just another set of documents; they are the cornerstone of our efforts to ensure that healthcare services in Nigeria are delivered efficiently and effectively and this unveiling ceremony is a testament to our shared vision of a healthier Nigeria—a vision where every Nigerian, irrespective of their location or socio-economic status, can access quality healthcare services. As community health practitioners, we are at the frontline of this vision as we are the bridge between the healthcare system and the communities we serve” He emphasized.

Comrade Yahaya Ahmed pointed out that it is imperative for members of NACHPN to equip themselves with the right tools and resources to carry out their duties effectively.

“As we celebrate the unveiling of the new standing orders, we must also confront a stark reality—the critical shortage of Community Health Practitioners in Nigeria and this shortage is one of the most pressing challenges we face in our healthcare landscape today as the deployment of CHPs in Nigeria falls drastically short of the minimum standards required to meet the health needs of our population” He said.

“According to the NPHCDA, the minimum standards for CHPs at various healthcare facilities are clear:
1. A Health Post requires 1 Junior Community Health Extension Worker (JCHEW).
2. A Primary Health Clinic should have 4 JCHEWs and 2 Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs).
3. A Primary Health Care Centre must have 6 JCHEWs, 3 CHEWs, and 1 Community Health Officer (CHO).
Based on these standards, and considering the total number of primary healthcare facilities in Nigeria, our country needs an estimated 561,000 CHPs to adequately meet its healthcare demands in 33,000 Public Health Facilities, ( Health Post, Primary Health care Clinic & Primary Health care Centre). However, the current reality is alarming. As of 2024, only 70,436 CHPs are serving in public health facilities, leaving a staggering shortfall of 394,074” the President of NACHPN stated.

Comrade Yahaya Ahmed further stated that the implications of this shortage are dire because in rural areas, where healthcare access is already limited, the lack of CHPs leads to increased mortality rates, particularly among infants and children. Overburdened facilities struggle to cope, resulting in longer waiting times and compromised quality of care.

“Moreover, the shortage of CHPs places an undue burden on the existing workforce, leading to burnout and decreased job satisfaction.
Another contributing factor is the lack of incentives and support for CHPs, particularly those working in underserved and rural areas while many CHPs face challenging working conditions, including inadequate facilities, lack of access to essential medicines and supplies, and limited opportunities for professional development and these challenges make it difficult to attract and retain CHPs in these areas, further exacerbating the shortage” He observed.

“The shortage of CHPs is also compounded by the fact that many of the existing CHPs are engaged on a contract or volunteer basis, rather than as full-time, permanent employees and this lack of job security and stability makes it difficult for CHPs to plan for their future and to fully commit to their roles. It also limits their ability to advocate for better working conditions and to participate in ongoing professional development” He noted.

He therefore advised the Government to focus on optimizing resources, such as deploying the over 200,000 unemployed JCHEWs, who are already trained to operate primarily in rural settings. By leveraging the skills and expertise of these trained professionals, we can significantly increase the number of CHPs available to serve communities and address the critical shortage rather than duplication of efforts by engaging CHIPs and TBAs.

“Finally, there must be a concerted effort to implement policy measures that support the deployment and retention of CHPs in underserved areas. This includes increasing the number of CHOs and degree holders in health facilities, providing financial and non-financial incentives for CHPs working in these areas, and ensuring that CHPs have access to the resources and support their needs.and the shortage of Community Health Practitioners in Nigeria is a public health crisis that requires immediate and sustained action, therefore, I make a humble appeal to the Minister of Health to create Desk officer for Community Health at the FMOH and the Executive Director of the NPHCDA: we request that Community Health Practitioners be allowed to lead the Directorate of Community Health Services at the Ministry and NPHCDA. We have qualified professionals, ready to contribute at this level by investing in CHP training and retraining, improving working conditions, promoting community engagement, and implementing supportive policies, Nigeria can close the gap in healthcare access and improve health outcomes for all its citizens and deploying the over 200,000 unemployment CHEWs and JCHEWs” He added