Community Health graduates of Foreign Links Campus, College of Health Technology, Moro, Ile-Ife, Osun State (2021/2022 set) have expressed frustration over their struggle for employment and recognition in the medical field. They report facing discrimination, lower pay, and limited career opportunities compared to nurses, despite their essential role in healthcare. These practitioners are now calling on the Community Health Practitioners Registration Board of Nigeria (CHPRBN) to address these disparities and advocate for their profession’s relevance.

Challenges in Employment and Compensation

Victoria, one of the affected graduates, shared her experience applying to several top hospitals in Ibadan—including Zenith Care Hospital, Zoe Hospital, St. Ann’s Catholic Hospital, Oyomesi Hospital, St. Greg’s Hospital, Divine Hospital, and Total Health Hospital—only to be rejected because they do not employ Community Health Practitioners (CHEWs).

“These hospitals are some of the leading healthcare facilities in Ibadan, and my CV is with them. But do you know what they told me? They said they don’t employ CHEWs,” she said.

In her current job, Victoria revealed that she is underpaid, ridiculed at work, and restricted from performing certain clinical skills.

“We, in private hospitals, face a lot. Our profession is not valued. They believe nurses are more relevant than us. Imagine being paid less than nurses, even though we perform similar duties. Fresh graduate nurses from 2024 are earning ₦100,000 per month, while I, a CHEW, earn ₦40,000. Even auxiliary nurses are given more respect than us!” she lamented.

Reacting to Victoria’s earlier mention of ₦40,000 monthly salary, Philip remarked that her compensation was comparatively generous.

“Lol. They’re even paying you well in Ibadan. Some people are getting ₦10,000 every month. Before I quit hospital work, my highest salary was ₦20,000,” he noted.

Philip went on to share his disheartening journey across three different hospitals, where he faced consistent discrimination, insults, and low pay. These experiences eventually led him to seek fulfillment in an entirely different field.

I’ve worked in three private hospitals since we graduated, but I wasn’t treated well. I even became depressed because of how I was treated. I resigned from all three positions and now utilize my skills in media and photography,” he revealed.

Sekinat, another graduate, recounted rejecting a job offer from a private hospital due to the meager salary proposed.

“The private hospital that wanted to employ me last year offered ₦15,000; that’s why I declined the job,” she explained.

Rukayat also recounted her experience working at a major hospital in Osogbo, the only specialist facility for brain and spine care. She revealed that a fresh graduate nurse hired at the same time was earning more than her. Frustrated by the disparity, she has since moved into business.

Many others also spoke out, while some have yet to secure a job since their graduation.

Discrimination in Both Public and Private Sectors

Victoria highlighted that the discrimination is not just in private hospitals but extends to those working in government facilities. Drawing from her experience as an Adhoc staff in a health center under Ibadan North Local Government, she noted that almost all primary healthcare centers in Oyo State are controlled by nurses.

“Nurses dominate leadership positions. Community Health Practitioners are not allowed to give injections, diagnose patients, take deliveries, and administer immunization. Even salary structures reflect this bias—government Adhoc nurses earn ₦50,000, Senior CHEWs (SCHEWs) get ₦25,000, and Junior CHEWs (JCHEWs) receive just ₦20,000. Why are Community Health Officers (CHOs) no longer heading Primary Health Care facilities?”

Concerns Over International Recognition

The frustration extends beyond Nigeria, as Victoria questions whether Community Health Practitioners will ever receive global recognition like nurses.

“If our profession is struggling for relevance in Nigeria, can we expect it to be recognized abroad? Nursing is valued internationally, but where does that leave us?”

Due to these challenges, some practitioners are now reconsidering their careers, with many reluctant to renew their professional licenses.

“My license expired last November, and I won’t renew it. What’s the point of paying for a license that isn’t recognized? CHPRBN is supposed to protect our interests, but they are silent while we earn peanuts,” she concluded.

Call for Institutional Intervention

These graduates collectively urge the Community Health Practitioners Registration Board of Nigeria (CHPRBN) to address these pressing issues. Comrade Hammed encouraged practitioners to continue voicing their concerns, assuring them that prompt action would be taken.

“Please, I really appreciate all these discussions, and let’s endeavour to speak our minds so that we can truly understand what’s happening and determine the next steps. This is constructive criticism. I love to be here. Thank you all,” he stated.

A Broader Perspective

The challenges faced by these graduates are not isolated incidents but reflect a larger systemic issue within Nigeria’s healthcare system. As the demand for healthcare services grows, many believe Community Health Practitioners play a crucial role—especially in rural and underserved areas. They are now urging CHPRBN and the government to take swift action to ensure fair treatment, better pay, and greater professional recognition for CHEWs.

The Task-Shifting and Task-Sharing Policy for Essential Health Care Services in Nigeria, introduced by the Federal Ministry of Health in 2014, aimed to address human resource shortages by redistributing tasks among health workers. However, the persistent undervaluation of Community Health Practitioners suggests that more targeted interventions are necessary to ensure equity and recognition for all healthcare providers.

As the demand for healthcare services continues to grow, especially in underserved areas, the role of Community Health Practitioners remains crucial. Addressing these disparities is essential for building a more inclusive and effective healthcare system in Nigeria.

Will their voices be heard? Only time will tell.

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