In a strategic partnership aimed at advancing community health, the Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (EDSPHCDA) collaborated with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to launch a 12-day Training of Trainers workshop on the Community Health Influencers, Promoters, and Services (CHIPS) program in Eterno Hotel, GRA, Benin City spanning from December 4th to 15th, 2023.
In his opening remarks, the Executive Secretary, EDSPHCDA, Dr. Omosigho Izedonmwen acknowledged the existence of the CHIPS program in other states while expressing optimism about its introduction in Edo. He highlighted the program’s structured approach to stimulate and support households in communities to seek Primary Health Care (PHC) services through various delivery platforms, including health facilities and outreaches.
Also speaking, the Edo State National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) Coordinator, Dr. Josephine Obayagbona emphasized the importance of the workshop in helping participants to effectively cascade the knowledge derived from the state training of trainers workshop to the CHIPS Agents at the local government levels.
She also stressed the importance of ensuring comprehensive coverage of immunization and other primary healthcare services at the community level by the CHIPS Agents.
Adding to the discourse, Dr. Idemudia Osayomore, the Director, Community and Family Health Services EDSPHCDA, delved into the program’s design. He stated “that the program engages health agents from the coverage area of a specific health center, empowering them to venture into communities and identify the health needs of the people hereafter bring the health services closer to households through home visits, especially in rural underserved communities”.
The training employed various methodologies, including Participatory Learning, Role play, Demonstrations, Field Visit to Ugbekun Primary Healthcare Centre, Practical house mapping and numbering aimed at enhancing the CHIPS Agents’ understanding of their coverage areas, as well as equipping them with essential behavior communication and counseling skills necessary during home visits.
Facilitated by seasoned NPHCDA representatives and the Academia, represented by Dr. Andrew Obi from the Department of Community Health, University of Benin Teaching Hospital. The innovative approach was necessary to ensure that health workers gained practical skills in addressing community health needs as well as providing adequate services effectively to meet those needs ultimately improving healthcare accessibility and outcomes in Edo State.
