By Amawu Cletus Albert Amawu
IKOM, CROSS RIVER STATE – In a renewed push to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare delivery at the grassroots, a one-day Mandatory Continuous Professional Development Programme (MCPDP) for Community Health Practitioners has ended in Ikom, Cross River State, with a charge for renewed commitment, updated skills, and professional ethics among frontline healthcare workers.
Held at the Favour College of Health Technology, Etomi Road, the 2025 edition of the MCPDP was themed “Strengthening the Nigerian Health Care System: The Role of Community Health Practitioners”, and attracted facilitators, government officials, and key stakeholders in the healthcare sector.
Call for Commitment and Renewed Spirit
In his welcome address, Chairman of the Association of Community Health Practitioners in Cross River State, Comrade Peter Agorye Kelege, underscored the vital role community health workers play in combating a growing wave of diseases and emergencies in rural communities.
“Our communities are daily confronted with various health challenges. Community health workers are the first point of contact in most cases. We must therefore maximise every opportunity to improve our knowledge and skills to save lives,” Kelege said.
He further appreciated Governor Senator Prince Bassey Otu for his health-friendly policies and continuous support for the sector. “The Governor’s commitment to repositioning the health sector is commendable. We, as an association, pledge our unalloyed collaboration with his administration to drive his plausible healthcare initiatives to fruition,” he added.
Government Reaffirms Commitment to Health Sector Revamp
Representing the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Egbe Ayuk, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr Ekpo Ekpo, described the training as timely and critical in enhancing grassroots healthcare service delivery.
“The present administration, under Governor Otu, is vigorously pursuing the rehabilitation and equipping of healthcare centres across the state. Trainings like these are vital in preparing our health workforce to meet community demands effectively,” Dr Ekpo said.
He urged health practitioners to demonstrate greater passion and dedication to their duties, assuring them of the government’s intention to boost manpower. “We will continue to recruit more health workers and initiate empowerment programmes to enhance their welfare,” he affirmed.
CRSPHCDA Pushes ‘People-First’ Health Agenda
Also speaking at the training, the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency (CRSPHCDA), Dr (Mrs) Vivian Otu, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Mrs Lucy Bassy, said the agency is committed to implementing the people-first agenda across the 18 local government areas.
“We are placing the people at the centre of healthcare delivery. Our call to community health workers is simple, be proactive, be ethical, and prioritise the communities you serve,” she charged.
Regulatory Bodies Warn Against Quackery and Fake Licences
In separate remarks, representatives of the Community Health Practitioners Registration Board of Nigeria (CHPRBN) and the Community Health Institute (CHI) stressed the importance of professional ethics in the practice of community health in Nigeria.
Dr Risikat Yohana, speaking on behalf of CHPRBN, warned practitioners against unethical behaviours such as the use of fake licences and evading regulatory compliance. “Cutting corners in healthcare is not only dangerous but punishable under the law. The public depends on you for safe and accurate health interventions,” she warned.
Representatives from CHI echoed similar sentiments, calling for a return to core values of commitment, diligence, and honesty in service delivery.
Focus on Life-Saving and Emergency Skills
The one-day capacity-building session featured extensive training on Modified Life-Saving Skills (MLSS), Primary Healthcare Centre (PHCC) management, and the Use of National Standing Orders, among others.
Participants expressed satisfaction with the training, describing it as an eye-opener to modern techniques and best practices needed for improved community health outcomes.
The 2025 MCPDP is part of the national framework aimed at equipping community health practitioners with current knowledge and skills to respond effectively to healthcare challenges, especially in underserved areas.