By Kemi Olatunde

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Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Francis Akanbiemu has stressed the need for stakeholders to make meaningful contribution towards the successful roll out and implementation of Community Health Influencers, Promoters and Services (CHIPS) in the state.
He spoke during CHIP ‘stakeholders meeting in Akure at the weekend
According to him, stakeholders’ roles are important noting that they are expected to demand for creation of health services, community mapping, health education and counselling, provide support and treatment services, disease surveillance, community data collection and reporting.
Akanbiemu who was represented by Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Dr.(Mrs) Yetunde Olagbuji thanked stakeholders for their support for PHC activities and added that CHIPS, an initiative of the Federal Government will help in strengthening health services and delivery both in the state and
However said the programme will also help at achieving Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria
Taking the overview, Mrs Florence Ogunmakinwa of the agency, restated that community involvement was very key in the implementation of the program noting that it will help in reducing to the bearest minimum mortality and mobidity rate in the state.
According to her, there is increase in under 5 mortality rate in Nigeria adding that one life in every nine delivery was lost due to reasons that can be preventable according to 2018 National Health Data.
She explained that with the program in place, residents of communities can take ownership of health facilities and also demand for services in such facilities.
She stated that in every ward there will be at least 10 CHIPS agents preferably females adding that they will be supported in the community by Community Engagement Focal Person and Ward Development Committee (WDC) saying “health workers (CHEW) will provide supportive supervision to CHIPS.”
However, she said that the program has been put in place to strengthen the community components of PHC by harmonising and integrating all activities at that level.
Director, Community Health Service and Education, Dr. Samuel Abiona explained that it was important that the agreed terms and level of engagement was adhered to adding that priority should be given to communities with cases.
While affirming that stakeholders are crucial to the successful implementation of CHIPS in the state as they assist in ensuring that the right people are selected within the community, he encouraged them to join hands with OSPHCDA to ensure hitch-free CHIPS implementation in the state.
Partners who were at the event including World Health Organisation (WHO) and MITHOSATH among others pledged their commitment to the programme.