28/09/2025
Brief History of Community Health Practitioner
The Community Health Practitioner (CHP) profession emerged to improve access to basic health services, especially in rural and underserved areas
Global Background:
- Originated in the mid-20th century due to a shortage of doctors.
- Countries like China (barefoot doctors) and India trained local workers to offer primary healthcare, health education, and disease prevention.
In Nigeria:
- The concept began around the 1970s, after the Alma Ata Declaration (1978)* which promoted Primary Health Care (PHC).
- The Nigerian government established training programs for Community Health Assistants (CHA), Community Health Extension Workers (CHEW), and later CHPs.
- The Community Health Practitioners Registration Board of Nigeria (CHPRBN) was set up by law to regulate the profession.
- CHPs are trained to diagnose minor illnesses, provide maternal/child care, immunization, health education, and refer serious cases.
Today:
CHPs play a vital role in:
- Reducing maternal and child mortality
- Disease prevention
- Linking communities to health systems
Let me know if you want this in Hausa or a more detailed version.