S C Okoroafor1, M Ongom1, B Mohammed1, D Salihu1, A Ahmat2, M Osubor3, J Nyoni2, H Dayyabu4, W Alemu1. 1. World Health Organization Country Office in Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria. 2. World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Congo. 3. Global Affairs Canada, Abuja, Nigeria. 4. Bauchi State Ministry of Health, Bauchi, Nigeria.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In Nigeria, adoption of the primary healthcare approach led to the establishment of numerous primary healthcare facilities, and training of new cadres of community health officers (CHOs), community health extension workers (CHEWs) and junior community health extension workers (JCHEWs). These new groups complemented the work of nurses and midwives. METHODS: We conducted a workload indicators of staffing needs study in the 20 local governments of Bauchi State, from March 2016 to September 2018, in all 317 ward-level primary healthcare facilities. RESULTS: Findings show a total of 128 existing nurses/midwives, a calculated requirement of 402 and a shortage of 274 nurses/midwives. Existing CHOs/CHEWs were 735, a calculated requirement was 948 and a shortage of 213 CHOs/CHEWs. The JCHEWs were 477, a calculated requirement of 481, with a shortage of four JCHEWs. CONCLUSION: Results from this study highlight the unequal distribution of health workers; the abundance of some frontline workers in some communities and dire need of others. We emphasize the need to strengthen health workforce planning to deliver essential primary healthcare services, particularly in rural and remote communities with high levels of vulnerability to diseases.
BACKGROUND: In Nigeria, adoption of the primary healthcare approach led to the establishment of numerous primary healthcare facilities, and training of new cadres of community health officers (CHOs), community health extension workers (CHEWs) and junior community health extension workers (JCHEWs). These new groups complemented the work of nurses and midwives. METHODS: We conducted a workload indicators of staffing needs study in the 20 local governments of Bauchi State, from March 2016 to September 2018, in all 317 ward-level primary healthcare facilities. RESULTS: Findings show a total of 128 existing nurses/midwives, a calculated requirement of 402 and a shortage of 274 nurses/midwives. Existing CHOs/CHEWs were 735, a calculated requirement was 948 and a shortage of 213 CHOs/CHEWs. The JCHEWs were 477, a calculated requirement of 481, with a shortage of four JCHEWs. CONCLUSION: Results from this study highlight the unequal distribution of health workers; the abundance of some frontline workers in some communities and dire need of others. We emphasize the need to strengthen health workforce planning to deliver essential primary healthcare services, particularly in rural and remote communities with high levels of vulnerability to diseases.
Authors: Adam Ahmat; Sunny C Okoroafor; Isabel Kazanga; James Avoka Asamani; Jean Jacques Salvador Millogo; Mourtala Mahaman Abdou Illou; Kasonde Mwinga; Jennifer Nyoni Journal: BMJ Glob Health Date: 2022-05
Authors: Adam Ahmat; Jean Jacques Salvador Millogo; Mourtala Mahaman Abdou Illou; Titus Maritza; Francis Bamogo; Sunny C Okoroafor; Jennifer Nyoni; James Avoka Asamani Journal: BMJ Glob Health Date: 2022-05