The Community Health Extension Worker (CHEW) is an integral member of the health team within the Primary Health Care (PHC) system. As a key player in improving community health, the CHEW dedicates about 50% of their time working directly in health clinics, providing essential services to local populations. The role extends beyond clinical duties, as the CHEW also holds significant supervisory responsibilities. They are tasked with overseeing Junior Community Health Extension Workers (JCHEW), Community Health Extension Workers in training, Volunteer Village Health Workers, and Traditional Birth Attendants, ensuring that these individuals are properly supported and guided in their work.
Under the supervision of the Community Health Officer (CHO), the CHEW plays a vital role in coordinating and implementing health interventions at the community level. Importantly, the role of the CHEW has evolved over time. The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially recognized the CHEW as a skilled birth attendant, placing them on par with Doctors, Nurses, and Midwives in terms of their qualifications and ability to deliver essential maternal care.
The Community Health Registration Board of Nigeria (CHRBN) is responsible for the training, certification, and regulation of CHEWs. This body ensures that both theoretical knowledge and practical skills are passed on to students through specialized lectures and hands-on training in accredited colleges. The CHRBN oversees the curriculum, guaranteeing that the CHEWs are well-equipped to meet the growing health needs of Nigerian communities. As the demand for skilled health workers at the grassroots level increases, the importance of accredited institutions offering Community Health programs becomes even more critical in ensuring that Nigeria’s health system continues to thrive.
Below are List of Approved Colleges/School Training Community Health Extension Workers
COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, ABA, ABIA STATE
COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, MUBI, ADAMAWA STATE
COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, OBOSI, ANAMBRA STATE
COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, TSAFE, ZAMFARA
COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, NINGI, BAUCHI STATE
COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, OTUOGIDI, BAYELSA STATE
COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, UGHELLI, DELTA STATE
COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, CALABAR, CROSS RIVER STATE
COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, OJI RIVER, ENUGU STATE
COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, IJERO-EKITI, EKITI STATE
COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, KANKIA, KATSINA STATE
COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES, AMAIGRO, IMO STATE
COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, OFFA, KWARA STATE
COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, YABA, LAGOS STATE
COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, ILESA, OSUN STATE
COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, ELEYEI.F, P.M.B 5172 IBADAN, OYO STATE
COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, ZAWAN, JOS, PLATEAU STATE
COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, KALTUNGO, GOMBE STATE
COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, IJEBU ILESE, OGUN STATE
COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, PANKSHIN, PLATEAU STATE
COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY, PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE
NIGERIAN ARMY SCHOOL OF MEDICAL SCIENCES, OJO, LAGOS STATE
SCHOOL OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, JAHUN , JIGAWA STATE
SHEHU IDRIS COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, MAKARFI, KADUNA STATE
SCHOOL OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, KANO ,KANO STATE
SCHOOL OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, MINNA, NIGER STATE
SCHOOLOF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, AKURE, ONDO STATE
SCHOOL OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, BENIN CITY, EDO STATE
SCHOOL OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, ETINAN, AKWA -IBOM STATE
SCHOOL OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, JEGA, KEBBI STATE
SULTAN ABDURRAHMAN SCHOOL OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, GWADABAWA, SOKOTO STATE
NIGERIAN NAVY SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES, OFFA, KWARA STATE
KOGI STATE COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, IDAH, KOGI STATE
YOBE STATE COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, NGURU, YOBE STATE
MILLENNIUM COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, ONDO STATE
ROYAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, IFO, OGUN STATE
DR. JOHN ADAH COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY, OTUKPO, BENUE STATE
FABOTAS COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, EKITI STATE
AMINU DABO COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, KANO STATE
POGIL COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, OKE-ERI, VIA IJEBU ODE, OGUN STATE
CHRISLIA COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, AFAO EKITI, EKITI STATE
FAVOUR SCHOOL OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, IKOM, CROSS RIVER STATE
CITY COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA, KADUNA STATE
CHRESTFIELD COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, APAROKE, OSUN STATE
CHERISH COLLEGE, KATSINA STATE
KANKARA PRAGMATIC COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECNOLOGY, KATSINA STATE
MODEL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, IBOKO, EBONY’ STATE
NEW GATE COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, MINNA, NIGER STATE
SCHOOL OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, LAFIA, NASARAWA STATE
AL HUDA COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, OLD AIRPORT ROAD, SOKOTO, SOKOTO STATE
KAZUARE SCHOOL OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, KAZUARE, JIGAWA STATE
O’ MARK SCHOOL OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, IGAU —IGANDO, LAGOS
MERCYLAND COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, IDU OSUN AREA , OSHOGBO, OSUN STATE
N.K.S.T COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, MKAR, GBOKO, BENUE STATE
SCHOOL OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, IYI ENU MISSION, OGIDI, ANAMBRA STATE
PEACELAND COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, OLD PARK LANE, OFF INDEPENDENCE LAYOUT, ENUGU, ENUGU STATE
EMIRATE COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY, KABUGA SATELITE TOWN, KANO STATE
EASTERN SCHOOL OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, ABA, ARIA. STATE
ELITE COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, DUTSE, JIGAWA STATE
ECWA COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, KAGORO, KADUNA STATE
EUCHARISTIC HEART COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY,ORBA, NSUKKA, ENUGU STATE
BACADEMIC COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, BICHI, KANO STATE
BETHSAIDA COLLEGE OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, ALONG CAC GRAMMAR SCHOOL ROAD, IKOLABA ALADAN, OGBOMOSHO
Note: STUDENTS ARE ADVISED TO NOTE THE APPROVED INSTITUTIONS.
Conclusion/Summary
In conclusion, the role of the Community Health Extension Worker (CHEW) is central to the success of Nigeria’s Primary Health Care (PHC) system. As a skilled professional, the CHEW not only delivers essential health services at the community level but also plays a key role in supervising and mentoring other health workers such as Junior Community Health Extension Workers (JCHEWs), volunteers, and traditional birth attendants. This oversight ensures that health interventions are carried out effectively, fostering stronger and healthier communities.
The recognition of CHEWs as skilled attendants at birth by the Federal Government of Nigeria underscores the growing importance of this role in the healthcare system. With the support of the Community Health Registration Board of Nigeria (CHRBN), CHEWs undergo rigorous training, which equips them with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to manage health challenges in rural and underserved areas. The comprehensive curriculum provided by accredited institutions guarantees that these workers are well-prepared to meet the evolving health needs of the population.
As the demand for quality healthcare continues to rise, especially in remote communities, the accredited Colleges of Health Technology offering specialized Community Health programs remain crucial in training competent professionals to fill the gaps in Nigeria’s healthcare delivery. The CHEWs’ direct involvement in maternal care, disease prevention, health education, and community mobilization makes them indispensable in the fight to improve public health outcomes across Nigeria.
Ultimately, the Community Health Extension Worker is not just a healthcare provider but a change agent who contributes significantly to the realization of equitable and accessible healthcare for all Nigerians. Their role will continue to grow in importance as the country strives toward achieving its health goals, particularly in the areas of maternal and child health, disease control, and the overall improvement of public health.
