By Cosmas Ibifuro
The National Association of Community Health Practitioners of Nigeria (NACHPN), Rivers State chapter, has commended Governor Siminalaye Fubara for his recent approval of promotion and minimum wage payment for primary healthcare workers in the state.
In a statement signed by the State Chairperson, Justina Uche Onuwa, PhD, and State Secretary, Letam Doole Nmeakor, PhD, the association expressed their gratitude to the governor for addressing their long-standing demands.
The association noted that community health practitioners make up 80% of the workforce in primary healthcare settings in Rivers State and Nigeria, providing essential services such as immunization, treatment of minor ailments, and maternal and child health services.
They praised Governor Fubara for approving their promotion after 12 years of stagnation and implementing the #30,000.00 naira minimum wage payment for all primary healthcare workers in the state.
However, the association appealed to the governor to direct local government caretaker chairmen to implement their CONHESS (salary structure), which their colleagues in the state service are already earning.
They also requested the transfer of primary healthcare workers from local government settings to the state civil service and the inclusion of community health practitioners in the employment of workers in Rivers State.
The association wished Governor Fubara a successful tenure and thanked him for his love and concern for primary healthcare workers in the state.