The Federal Government has pledged that no certified Community Health Officer (CHO) will remain unemployed, as it intensifies efforts to bridge healthcare gaps across Nigeria, particularly in rural areas.
This assurance was given by the Coordinating Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, during the fifth Induction and Oath-Taking Ceremony for new CHOs in Abuja on Tuesday.
Salako acknowledged that while there has been progress in the health sector, challenges such as workforce shortages, infrastructure deficits, and uneven access to healthcare services remain, especially in underserved communities.
“You are the link between policy and people – the frontline defenders of grassroots health,” he told the inductees.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), with policies such as the revitalisation of 10,000 primary healthcare centres across the country.
“The government’s policy is clear: no CHO should be unemployed,” Salako said. “We are committed to deploying and supporting CHOs, especially in rural areas.”
He also cited the National Health Insurance Authority’s goal to enrol 50 million Nigerians by 2027, with CHOs playing a critical role in community mobilisation.
Salako urged the new CHOs to serve with integrity and innovation, describing their profession as a national calling. He also reiterated the government’s backing of the Community Health Practitioners Registration Board to uphold professional standards.
