COMMUNITY HEALTH EXTENSION WORKERS - CHEW

The Community Health Extension Workers (CHEW) programme is a professional health training programme designed to produce competent mid-level health practitioners who support the effective delivery of Primary Health Care (PHC) services, particularly at the community and grassroots levels.The programme equips students with comprehensive knowledge, practical skills, and professional ethics in areas such as community health practice, maternal and child health, environmental health, nutrition, disease prevention and control, health education, immunization services, first aid, and basic clinical procedures. Strong emphasis is placed on community mobilization, home visitation, outreach services, and teamwork with other healthcare professionals to enhance public health outcomes.The course duration is three (3) years, consisting of classroom instruction, laboratory work, fieldwork, and supervised clinical postings. This structure ensures that graduates gain both theoretical understanding and hands-on experience necessary for effective service delivery in diverse healthcare settings.Graduates of the CHEW programme are qualified to work in primary health care centres, health posts, clinics, hospitals, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and community-based health programmes, particularly in rural and underserved communities. The programme plays a vital role in strengthening community health systems and improving access to quality healthcare services.Upon successful completion of the programme, graduates are eligible for professional practice and further career progression in community and public health-related disciplines, subject to the regulations of relevant professional bodies.