Bauchi state government has unveiled the long awaited Community Health Influencers and Promoters Services (CHIPS) program that would serve as community health agents in the grassroots.
Unveiling the program at Sultan Muhammadu Sa'ad Hajj Camp, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport Bauchi, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed says this is part of an effort of his administration to improve health care services delivery in the state.
The governor who was represented by his deputy Senator Baba Tela, acknowledged the support of the Federal Ministry of Health, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, Saving One Million Lives Programme for Results and other developmental partners especially UNICEF and USAID for their humanitarian health services, both technical and financial intervention.
The implementation of Community Health Influencers and Promoters Services CHIPS program, "is aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality especially among women and children, through strategic house to house demand generation for health services at the facility level, and provision of minor health care services by trained women residing in the communities," the governor explained.
He said in the first phase of the programme, the state government has recruited and trained one thousand and sixty-six (1066) individuals, supported by UNICEF, noting that those trained individuals were systematically screened and selected in collaboration with the community gate-keepers, using the available structured criteria as provided by the NPHCDA.
Presenting the overview of the selection criteria, the Executive Chairman Bauchi State Primary Healrh Care Development Agemcy, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed stated that "CHIPS Implementation process in Bauchi State occurs in stages which involves Mapping of the existing community structure, availability, location, number supporting partner (if any)."
He said other structures are harmonization of the existing community structures through engagement with partner organization, supporting community volunteers, alignment of community-based activities, and development of work-plan for community activities.
Dr Mohammed further clarifies the third structure which is the selection of the CHIPS agents, noting that the CHIPS Agents were selected among the existing community volunteers being supported by partner organizations, who have previously worked in a health project.
The selection followed the national criteria which stipulated that candidates be nominated by the community structure, and must be resident of the community, in addition to being ready to serve their respective communities.
Other criteria include that candidate should be 25 years of age and above, and preferably female. However, two males will be recruited to serve as community engagement Focal Persons, and be currently married or have been married in the past.
In his words, the Emir of Dass, Alhaji Usman Bilyaminu Othman examines the contribution of traditional institution, saying that, over the years, there exist a cordial relationship between the traditional institution and different sectors of government especially health.
The Emir who double as Chairman Bauchi State Emirate Council Committee on Health stated that, "different fora have been established at the national, state and local government levels, which is also in tandem with the traditional hierarchical system."
"These include the Northern Traditional Leaders Council (NTLC), Emirate Councils Committees on Health, various Task forces on Health and the community engagement strategy," he said.
He added that, "as community gatekeepers, we were informed by the technical team, the CHIPS Programme is aimed at grassroot mobilization and demand generation for health services including management of minor illnesses especially in the rural Community."
Earlier in his welcome address the permanent secretary who oversees the Affairs of the Health Ministry, Alhaji Ali Babayo appreciate the pragmatic commitment and concern of all stakeholders toward provision of effective and efficient health care service delivery in the state.
He said the present administration under Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed demonstrates high level of commitment and sense of responsibility especially for organizing the first Health Summit ever in the history of the state where experts deliberated on number of topical issues which today culminated into recruitment of 1061 Health personnel, apart from the continuous engagement of medical doctors.
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