The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) on Tuesday formally launched the revamped Community-Based Health Workers (CBHW) programme at a strategic workshop held in Abuja. The initiative is aimed at strengthening primary Healthcare delivery across Nigeria.
The workshop, themed “Optimised Community Health Workforce: Key to Strengthening PHC and Achieving Universal Health Coverage”, brought together stakeholders from all levels of government, alongside development partners, to foster consensus and support for the programme’s implementation.
The NPHCDA in collaboration with partners, has convened a National Stakeholders Engagement on the Redesigned Community-Based Health Workers (CBHW) Programme in Abuja. pic.twitter.com/Njw7PH03ra
— NPHCDA (@NphcdaNG) May 20, 2025
Bridging Gaps in Healthcare Delivery
NPHCDA Executive Director, Dr Muyi Aina, stated that the redesign was intended to formalise and streamline the roles of community health workers to ensure consistent, high-quality healthcare delivery, particularly in remote areas.
“One of the core priorities of President Bola Tinubu’s health sector agenda is to significantly reduce infant and maternal mortality by improving the quality of basic health services,” Dr Aina said.
He emphasised the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s commitment alongside key agencies to making healthcare more affordable and accessible for all Nigerians.
Revitalising Primary Healthcare Infrastructure
Dr Aina disclosed that more than 1,000 primary healthcare centres (PHCs) had reached optimal service standards in 2024, as part of the government’s ongoing revitalisation efforts. A further 2,500 facilities are currently undergoing upgrades.
To support these centres, over 60,000 frontline health workers have been retrained and deployed across the country. He also recognised the contribution of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who donated over 60,000 uniforms and kits to midwives across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
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Community Health Workers as Essential Connectors
Describing community-based health workers as a vital link between healthcare facilities and households in remote areas, Dr Aina said, “We understand that we cannot reach every household quickly enough without actively engaging community health workers.”
Collaborative Approach to Health Equity
Chairman of the Health Commissioners Forum, Dr Oyebanji Filani, highlighted the programme’s collaborative nature, which involves federal, state, and local governments, along with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).
“We are co-developing a fit-for-purpose framework that reflects the distinct needs of individual states,” Dr Filani said.
Endorsement from Development Partners
Representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the World Bank, and other development partners described the initiative as both innovative and vital in advancing Nigeria’s journey towards universal health coverage.
