The Association of Community Health Practitioners of Nigeria (ACHPN), Oyo State Chapter, has charged its members to uphold professional excellence as a critical tool in strengthening the Nigerian healthcare system.
This call was made at the maiden Mandatory Continuous Professional Development Programme (MCPDP), organised by the Community Health Institute (CHI) in Collaboration with Community Health Practitioners Registration Board of Nigeria (CHPRBN) held at the Local Government Staff Training School, Secretariat, Ibadan.
The two-day retreat, themed “Strengthening the Nigerian Healthcare System: The Role of Community Health Practitioners,” was organized by the Community Health Institute (CHI) in collaboration with the Community Health Practitioners Registration Board of Nigeria (CHPRBN).
The State Chairperson of ACHPN, Oyo Chapter, Comrade Tolulope Adebanke Olushola-Jimoh, who is also a Permanent Secretary at the State Ministry of Health, emphasized the need for community health practitioners to stay updated on emerging health challenges while effectively navigating service delivery constraints.
She noted that continuous professional development is vital for enhancing capacity and ensuring impactful grassroots healthcare.
Delivering a keynote address, the Director of the Community Health Institute, Abuja, Dr. Risikat Motunrayo Onawola, stressed that the programme aims to equip practitioners with up-to-date knowledge and skills aligned with current national health priorities, regulatory standards, and global best practices. She also highlighted the importance of license renewal and competence in maintaining professional credibility across the country.
The General Secretary of ACHPN, Oyo Chapter, Mr. Awojobi Ezekiah Adebiyi, noted that the MCPDP is structured to enhance the competence of practitioners, improve service delivery, and strengthen the quality of healthcare across communities.
“This programme encourages community health workers to confront the challenges of service delivery and contribute meaningfully to improving Nigeria’s health indices,” he said.
Other speakers at the event, including Mrs. Temitope Afolake Awotunde, Head of Department, Community Health, Oyo State College of Health Science and Technology, Eleyele, and Consultant Family Physician, Dr. Oyedele Moses Oluwole, emphasized the importance of adopting modern practices, embracing new skills, and applying fresh attitudes in professional duties.
The first maiden programme which brought together practitioners from various local government areas across the State, provided a platform for capacity building, idea exchange, and reaffirmation of the pivotal role of community health practitioners in delivering quality healthcare at the grassroots level.
