*Ekumankama Nkama, Minister of State for Health, says the outbreak of Monkeypox and other diseases has made it necessary for the country’s health sector to be ready to track any possible challenges

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Following the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recent declaration of the virus as a global health emergency, the Federal Government has charged Community Health Officers (CHOs) to be prepared for the outbreak of Monkeypox disease in Nigerian villages.

ConsumerConnect learnt Mr. Ekumankama Nkama, Honourable Minister of State for Health, gave the charge at the 2021 induction of 477 new Community Health Officers by the Community Health Practitioners Registration Board of Nigeria, in Abuja, FCT.

The Board had registered 587 candidates for the examination while 477 representing 81.2 percent were successful for this year’s induction across the West African country.

Nkama noted the outbreak of Monkeypox and other diseases has made it necessary for the country’s health sector to be ready to track any possible challenges.

He noted that Community Health officers, being among the first-responders because they are closer to the people, must respond appropriately.

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

The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is doing its best in delivering health services to Nigerian consumers, as the administration wants all hands on deck in taking it to a greater height.

Speaking at the event, Bashir Idris, Registrar of Community Health Practitioners Registration Board of Nigeria, urged the newly-inducted professionals to distinguish themselves as they go into practice in future.

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

Idris also stated that orientation of the practitioners is essential in giving the newly-qualified graduates the best possible start and integration into community healthcare, while proper training they had would help them to grow and reach their full potential.