Community Health

 The College of Health Sciences and Technology Idah, Kogi State, offers Certificate and Diploma programs in Community Health. These programs equip students with the knowledge and skills to promote health, prevent diseases, render basic curative treatments by  providing primary healthcare services to communities.


It is the Mother Department that birthed the College as a professional training institution in the late 1970s. There have been lots of metamorphosic advancements in the profession from the Rural Aids, through to Community Health Assistants, and Supervisors in the past  which are now run as JCHEW, CHEW, CHO, CHS, PHC Tutor etc.......  These Professional advancements happened simultaneously with the different respective Government Programs and Policies especially after the First National Development Plan (1962-1968), and The Second National Development Plan (1970-1974) proved to be inadequate for the country's growing population's health challenges........... After the Alma Ata declaration of essential health for All in USSR...... Then the third National Development Plan (1975-1980) was already on via the Basic Health Service Scheme, the principles of PHC like essentiality, affordability, community participation, inter sectoral collaboration amongst others were modified into the Plan. This gave rise to achievable objectives in the fourth national development plan of 1980-1988 where 80% coverage of essential health care services was attained with the support of the local authorities.


The national health Policy of 1988 predicated on the Alma Ata declaration of 1978 which promoted “health for all by the year 2000”. Between 1985 to1992, the then Minister of Health Professor Olikoye Ransome-Kuti worked assiduously to implement PHC Policy based on the Alma Ata Declaration. Kuti introduced a comprehensive national health policy with a focus on preventive medicine and health-care services at the grass root.  


In 1992, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) was established to ensure that PHC agenda is continued and sustained.


In The National Health Policy 1996, Primary Health Care as the cornerstone of the Nigerian Health System and the strategic objectives has remained the same. Then came the 1996 revision, though it was not formally endorsed (by the National Council on Health and FEC)



In line with the health sector reform agenda the National Health Policy was revised in 2004. 


More recently was The National Strategic Health Development Plan (or NSHDP) (2010-2015)  and The National Health Act 2014.


Why did we bring this history? 

Answer: The Community Health Practitioners are the core polyvalent health care providers in the PHC Centers.



The Community Health training program covers various aspects, including:


1. Health Promotion: Strategies for promoting healthy behaviors.

2. Disease Prevention: Measures to prevent communicable and non-communicable diseases.

3. Primary Healthcare: Providing basic healthcare services to communities.

4. Community Engagement: Working with communities to identify health needs.


There's the demonstration room for the students to conduct practicals, presentations and dramas........ Students go for Community Mobilization programs in groups for one month after first semester exams (year 1)........ They go for Clinical Based SIWES after second semester exams (year one) for not less than 10 weeks....... After second semester year two, they go for The Hospital Based Experience for not less than 10 weeks..... And reports and defense are made in the end of these various programs. Research/Projects are approved and signed before any student sit for National exams.



Graduates of Community Health can work in various settings, including:


1. Community Health Centers: Providing primary healthcare services.

2. Public Health Departments: Implementing health programs.

3. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): Supporting community health initiatives.

4. Independent Private Healthcare Service delivery centers



Community Health workers play a crucial role in:


1. Promoting Health Equity: Ensuring access to healthcare for underserved populations.

2. Preventing Diseases: Implementing preventive measures.

3. Improving Health Outcomes: Enhancing community health.


With the current collaboration between the CHPRBN and the NBTE, graduates won't only go for CHO, but also can pursue further education and career advancement opportunities 


1. Higher National Diploma (HND): Pursuing an HND in Community Health in accredited institutions.

2. Bachelor Of Community Health Science (BCHS)

 There are efforts of advancing without changing to public health, Epidemiology, or other related areas to MScs and PhDs in different specialties of 

Community Health.


Community Health 

                    Our Concern✊✊✊


PHC is The Key to Success 馃棟️馃棟️馃棟️


Appropriate Technology 

                       Is the Answer 馃馃馃


The Community Health program at the College of Health Sciences and Technology Idah, Kogi State, prepares students to contribute to improving community health outcomes and promoting health equity.


®Ahmed Salim Jn ✍️ 

21/04/2025


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