For observations and insights on:

*Enough of community health stunted training; a call for review.*

I came to an undisputable conclusion that the cause of failure on the versatility of community health as a profession, can be trace to the pattern, trait and of course levels of training. No doubt present pattern of training community health practitioners need an urgent review to be at par with other health professions. We certainly understand our limitations, perhaps settings goals and objectives of each level of training warrants the present Pattern of jchew 2years, Chew 3years, CHO 2 years all equal to 7 years for a Diploma qualification. Then the journey continues with Bsc community health 3years and 4years for CHOs and CHEWs respectively. Furthermore, another 2-3years spend on Master(MSc) and subsequently 3-4years spend on Doctorate(PhD).

When 7 solid economic years spent on Diploma programme, ladies and gentlemen, what time did you have to spend on getting Degree, masters and doctorate, hence the stunted progression in the field. At this point, it is pertinent to conclude that failure to have enough Prof, PhD holders, renown scholars and academicians in this field. It's further the reason for failure to have this community health departments in our conventional university for undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Some of our professional colleagues in the field aren't helping matters not only the issues of poor professionalism but not research oriented, not safe guiding the image of the profession, stagnant and lack professional prospect, un informed about the profession to mention but a few.

My recommendations

Our Board,the federal ministry of health,federal ministry of education in collaboration with National University Commission(NUC), should design the training pattern in such way that, once you graduate from secondary school you either go straight to the university and study Bsc community health or have 3years training as CHEW before proceeding through D.E into the university.

Professional examination be conducted at each stage of the training.

proceed for MSc and PhD degrees subsequently.

CHEW, Bsc, MSc and PhD be recognized by the board and nothing more.

All community health departments in government and private Parastatals be manned by the community health workers.

There should be special recognition accorded members of this profession.


Any observations, tips, criticism and way forward will be highly appreciated and welcome.

Community health is our concern���

Ndatetengi Mohammed RCHP, Bsc health education in view.
Writes from ABU

Incredibly thought out! Whoa.