By Michael Oche
Nigeria’s primary healthcare system has received a significant boost as Public Services International (PSI) has begun building the capacity of community health workers to improve their skills and expertise.
The three-day capacity building workshop which also included a community outreach was held in Kano between 27th – 29th November and aims to strengthen the primary healthcare system in Nigeria by empowering community health workers to deliver quality healthcare services.
According to Moradeke Abiodun-Badru, PSI Project Coordinator for English-Speaking West Africa, the initiative is part of PSI’s project on organizing community health workers for a progressive vision of public health in West Africa.
Abiodun-Badru emphasized the critical role of community health workers in primary healthcare systems, particularly in developing countries.
She noted that the healthcare project seeks to organize community health workers in Nigeria and Senegal, build their capacity to deliver quality primary healthcare services, and advocate for their rights to decent work.
The three-day capacity-building workshop, which was held in Kano, brought together community health workers, members of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs).
According to Abiodun-Badru, the Kano workshop provides for effective community engagement, advocacy, and campaign to improve healthcare delivery, especially at primary healthcare centres in the state.
She noted that by empowering community health workers and stakeholders, PSI is confident that they can drive meaningful change and strengthen primary healthcare systems in Nigeria.
During the workshop, participants identified several challenges facing primary healthcare delivery in Nigeria, including workforce shortages, poor welfare of community health workers, insecurity, and shortage of medical supplies.
The participants also proffered recommendations for improvement, including additional hospital space and infrastructure, improved security in all community health centers, recruitment of more health workers, and improved working conditions.
The workshop also included a community outreach, where participants paid an advocacy visit to the district head of Tarauni Local Government and engaged with community extension workers, community members, and PHC department officials.
Comrade Babangida Musa, chairman of MHWUN in Kano, praised the initiative, saying that it has yielded positive outcomes and fostered a better understanding of the challenges healthcare workers face at the community level.
He explained that the community and health workers now understand that they are partners in progress and have resolved to work together to mitigate the challenges preventing the delivery of quality Public primary healthcare services.
“We’re thrilled with the progress made during the workshop and the outreach,” Musa noted.
The community members, CSOs, CBOs, and NGOs also pledged to support the health workers’ advocacy campaign and collaborate to identify infrastructural gaps in health facilities, as well as demand that the Kano state government provide the needed resources.
