FG issues warning about monkeypox outbreak in villages

By Adeleye Kunle

The Federal Government has directed Community Health Officers (CHO) to be ready in case of a monkeypox outbreak in villages, TrackNews Reports.

Barrister Ekumankama Nkama, Minister of State for Health, delivered the charge at the Community Health Practitioners Registration Board of Nigeria’s induction of 477 Community Health Officers (CHO) for 2021 in Abuja.

According to the Minister, the outbreak of monkeypox and other diseases has required the country’s health sector to be prepared for any potential challenges.

He emphasized that community health officers, as first responders because they are closer to the people, must respond appropriately.

Because they have been prepared and certified as full practitioners by the Community Health Practitioners Registration Board of Nigeria, the Minister urged the graduates to be more responsive and operate within their level by making the necessary referrals when faced with challenges above them.

Nkama stated that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration was doing its best to provide health services to Nigerians and that all hands were needed to take it to the next level.

Bashir Idris, Registrar of the Community Health Practitioners Registration Board of Nigeria, urged them to distinguish themselves as they enter practice in the future.

“One of the Board’s missions is to improve the standard of Community healthcare in Nigeria by regulating teaching, learning, and practices of community health,” he said.

The registrar stated that practitioner orientation is critical in providing newly qualified graduates with the best possible start and integration into community healthcare, while proper training will help them grow and reach their full potential.

While congratulating the 2021 inductees, Sule Galadima Sule, Chairman of the Health Practitioners Registration Board, stated that the board will continue to offer relevant courses and programs, particularly in emerging issues in the health sector.

He stated that the Community Health Officers (CHO) Training Programme was a full-time program of accredited Teaching Hospitals dedicated to promoting the ideals of professionalism and carrying out its statutory responsibility as mandated by the Act, as the certification allows the recipient to perform both technical and managerial functions in primary healthcare facilities across the country.

There were approximately 587 candidates who registered for the examination, with 477 (or 81.2 percent) being successful for this year’s induction across the country.

The majority of the graduates expressed their delight at their induction and expressed confidence in their ability to succeed as members of the community health association.