The Community Health Practitioners Registration Board of Nigeria (CHPRBN) has organized a capacity building retreat for its zonal officers, technical officers and liaison officers in Kaduna, aimed at improving staff performance and strengthening the board’s operational efficiency across the country.
Speaking first during the opening session, the Registrar of the Board, Alhaji Bashir Idris Lifidin Jamaa, emphasized that the retreat was organized to provide officers with updated regulatory knowledge, administrative tools and operational guidelines needed to carry out their duties effectively. He added that strengthening the competence of zonal and liaison officers will directly improve compliance, monitoring and overall service delivery across the federation.
“This retreat is part of our commitment to professional excellence,” he said. “When our officers are properly trained and well equipped, the entire health system benefits.”
Also speaking, former Registrar Shono Allen Benimo said the retreat became necessary to equip the officers with the needed knowledge to deliver on the mandate of the board. He noted that continuous learning helps officers stay aligned with modern regulatory demands and emerging challenges in the health sector.
The Head of Administration and Human Resources of the Board, Lady Agomo Chika, stated that the retreat was designed to realign the officers with the mandate of the board and to enhance their productivity. She explained that as frontline administrative drivers of CHPRBN’s operations, the officers must constantly update their knowledge to meet the demands of Nigeria’s evolving public health landscape.
According to her, the retreat was necessary to equip the officers with the right skills, strengthen their coordination and ensure that they are effectively delivering on the board’s mission of regulating and improving community health practice nationwide.
A resource person at the retreat, Professor Katuka Yaki, described the initiative as timely and strategic, stressing the crucial role community health workers play in the Nigerian health system. He explained that community health practitioners remain the backbone of primary healthcare, especially in rural communities where they often serve as the first point of contact for patients.
“In a country where a significant percentage of healthcare delivery happens at the grassroots, building the capacity of those who supervise and support community health workers is not only important but urgent,” he said. “This retreat will go a long way in improving health outcomes.”
Some of the participants expressed delight at the opportunity provided by the training, describing it as impactful and enriching. They said the sessions broadened their understanding of their roles, improved their confidence and exposed them to new methods of handling field operations and administrative tasks.
One participant noted, “I have learned so much in these few days. The knowledge gained will definitely improve how I work in my zone.” Another added that the retreat had strengthened teamwork and provided clarity on areas that needed improvement.
The retreat is expected to bolster CHPRBN’s capacity to regulate community health practice more efficiently and improve service delivery to millions of Nigerians who depend on community health practitioners for essential healthcare.