By Stanley Nwako
The Programme for Equitable Expansion of Community-Based Health Workers (PEECH) is set to improve primary healthcare across Nigeria through the training and upskilling of Community-Based Health Workers (CBHWs).
The PEECH Project Director, Dr Anddy Omoluabi, made this known during a presentation on the programme to the Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, in Awka.
Dr Omoluabi said the programme will run from February 2026 to July 2028 and will support the training and upskilling of 44,000 Community Health Workers recruited across 17 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
He explained that the programme will focus on training Community Health Workers and strengthening the institutions that support them. This includes training, supervision, mentoring, improved data management, monitoring and stronger governance.
According to him, the programme will also strengthen Local Government Health Authorities, improve schools that train Community Health Workers and enhance healthcare services at the community level.
Dr Omoluabi added that the programme is aligned with a long-term plan to create 600,000 paid Community Health Worker jobs for young people between the ages of 18 and 35, expand primary healthcare services to 50 million people, maintain a 90 per cent worker retention rate, help 40 per cent of the workers progress to higher education or formal health employment within five years, and increase government funding for the programme to 70 per cent.
He said the programme is designed to move Community-Based Health Workers from volunteer and ad hoc roles to paid and professional employment.
Omoluabi noted that the programme gives special attention to young people, women, persons with disabilities and internally displaced persons.
He said the programme has completed its first phase, which included baseline assessments, profiling of Community Health Workers, assessment of Local Government readiness, data collection, development of working tools, stakeholder engagements, establishment of a coordination committee and partnership with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).
He added that the next phase will focus on implementation, including supporting states that are recruiting Community-Based Health Workers to train and equip the workforce, strengthening State Schools of Health Technology and supporting Local Government Health Authorities to better manage their community-based health workforce.
Responding, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, welcomed the PEECH Programme and expressed the readiness of the Anambra State Government to collaborate with the project to strengthen primary healthcare services across the state.
Dr Obidike stressed the need to digitize Anambra State's primary healthcare system to improve healthcare delivery and strengthen health data management.
He said the use of digital technology would make it easier to monitor health services, identify gaps and support evidence-based decision-making through accurate and timely data.
The Commissioner noted that a digital health system would improve efficiency, enhance patient care and support the state government's efforts to build a modern, technology-driven healthcare system in line with the vision of Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.
He assured the PEECH team of the state's commitment to working closely with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the programme in Anambra.
Dr Obidike, however, noted that while the government remains committed to improving the health sector, any additional commitments would be guided by available evidence, stakeholder consultations and the priority health needs of the state.
