Community health workers under the auspices of National Association of Community Health Practitioners of Nigeria (NACHPN) have moved against the prevalence of infectious diseases that inflict pains and uneasiness on the people, especially at the grassroots by empowering the community health workers with modern clinical technicalities required to combat the spread.
Consequently, the community health workers converged on Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital for a three-day National Association of Community Health Practitioners of Nigeria (NACHPN) 22nd edition of community health workers workshop geared towards the eradication of such diseases under the theme: “Eradicating of Infectious Diseases in Nigeria by Using Guinea Worm Strategy.”
Speaking at the annual workshop, Oluwasegun Oriola, chairman of Ogun State NACHPN, said that community health workers should equip themselves with up-to-date clinical know-how required to combat the spread of communicable diseases among Nigerians, especially at the grassroots which is the main target and medical heartbeat of community health workers.
He pointed out that “among all health professionals, community health practitioners are the closest to our people in the community to provide integrated healthcare services with a well defined function,” adding that since primary healthcare was adopted as the only strategy to achieve health for all after the historical alma at a declaration of 1978 and pioneered by late Ransome Kuti in Nigeria, the body has continued to play its roles diligently especially at the grassroots level.
While seeking government support in preventing the prevalence of infectious diseases in the country, Oriola tasked some state governments, particularly Ogun State to implement the circular from Federal establishment on conversion into community health officers cadre and lift embargo on conversion into Community health officers cadre in the state for efficiency and dedication.
He, however, urged government to better immortalise Olikoye Ransome-Kuti, eminent professor of medicine, for his selfless efforts and programmes on primary healthcare programme in the country, just as he called on Ogun state government to renovate Olikoye Memorial Hospital located in Asero area of Abeokuta as part of honour to the founder of primary health care programme in Nigeria.
Also speaking, Oba Fagbenro, a medical practitioner and Oloke Odan of Oke Odan, called on clinicians to collaborate with community health practitioners for prevention of preventive diseases especially in various communities.
“Clinicians too are community health practitioners because if a patient complains of hernia which is caused by incessant coughing, that means somebody has missed his diagnosis in the community. Therefore, there should be collaboration between our doctors and primary health care practitioners.
“I hope that this seminar will mark a watershed in the community health practise in Ogun State in particularly and in Nigeria in general. Their job is wide indeed, I hope there will be improvement on methods and ways of carrying out their duties at the end this seminar,” the traditional ruler noted.
RAZAQ AYINLA
