Anambra State Governor, Gov. Chukwuma Soludo has flagged off the launch of the Community Health Influencers, Promoters and Services, (CHIPS), programme.
The programme took place at a ceremony held at the Kenneth Dike Central e-Library in Awka, the state capital.
The CHIPS Programme was established by the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, (NPHCDA), and approved by the Federal Government of Nigeria to stimulate and support households in communities to seek and obtain primary healthcare services which will be intended to improve access to treatment of common diseases and childhood illnesses.
Designed as a voluntarist and community driven programme, 180 CHIPS agents selected by their communities in the six pilot local government areas of Aguata, Anaocha, Anambra East, Awka South, Ihiala and Ogbaru will work in assigned settlements or households to provide health services to individuals, to promote community participation and ownership in healthcare and most importantly, promote female empowerment and socio-economic development.
The CHIPS programme will be implemented through the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund.
Flagging off the programme, Governor Soludo represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike restated the resolve of his administration to the vision that no onye Anambra (indigene) will die from a preventable disease by providing easy access to affordable and quality healthcare.
Governor Soludo stated that his government and the Federal Government will still reassess the CHIPS programme after its implementation in the six pilot council areas to ensure that the aim of the programme is achieved and that the welfare of the agents are prioritized for more effectiveness.
The Executive Secretary, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Faisal Shuaib represented by the Coordinator of the agency in Anambra State, Dr Obiora Agbakwulu said he is hopeful that Anambra State, looking at their track record, will ensure full implementation of the programme, and underscored the importance of accessible and affordable primary healthcare system to the overall state of the country.
Game changer
For the Executive Secretary, Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Chioma Ezenyimulu, the programme is expected to become the desired game changer in the healthcare value chain at the primary level as they will become the critical link between vulnerable households and lifesaving care to make a difference in the health of communities.
Dr Ezenyimulu further explained that the CHIPS agents will reside and operate within their communities where they will become health influencers that will help to encourage and sustain positive health behaviours, create awareness about health problems, availability of care, timely access to care and overall demand for quality health care.
The ceremony was attended by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Anambra State Health Insurance Agency, Dr Simeon Onyemaechi, the Transition Committee Chairman, Awka South Local Government Area, Mr Thank God Anagor represented by the Director of the Local Government Health Authority, Dr Frank Umeh, traditional rulers, and members of non-governmental and civil society organisations including Red Cross Society.
The event climaxed with the official flagg off of the health materials to be used by the CHIPS agents.
Olusola Akintonde
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