Empowering Community Healthcare Workers (CHEWs) through Continuous Professional Development and Reflective Practice: Lessons from a Blended Pilot Project in North-East Nigeria
1
The Namu Project Charity, Birmingham, United Kingdom
2
Agency for Sustainable Development and Emergency Response, Borno State Government, Maiduguri, Nigeria
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Globally, the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) stood at 223 per 100,000 live births in 2020. However, sub-Saharan Africa continues to bear a disproportionate burden, with Nigeria’s estimated MMR of approximately 1,047 per 100,000 among the highest worldwide. Within Nigeria, the Northern regions consistently report significantly higher MMRs than the South, exacerbated by fragile systems, insecurity, and limited professional development opportunities for frontline health workers4,5. Addressing these disparities requires innovative, context-sensitive approaches to workforce strengthening, capacity building, and sustainable health system improvement.
METHODS:
The Namu Project UK and Borno State Government, supported by an Eldryd Parry Global Health Partnerships (GHP) Fellowship grant, launched a six-month pilot initiative to embed continuous professional development (CPD) and reflective practice among 20 community health extension workers (CHEWs) in Borno State, Nigeria. Led by a nurse and midwife who is a certified trainer in Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care and Essential Newborn Care, the project employed a blended learning model. Monthly face-to-face practical sessions at primary healthcare centres complemented weekly virtual classes. Custom-designed online modules reinforced key concepts and encouraged reflective practice, while peer-to-peer engagement was facilitated through WhatsApp group discussions. The programme was designed to be inclusive, contextually relevant, and adaptable to local resource constraints.
RESULTS:
Participants demonstrated measurable improvements in knowledge assessments from baseline, along with enhanced clinical skills and increased confidence in managing obstetric and neonatal emergencies. The WhatsApp-based reflective group fostered openness, accountability, and improved communication among CHEWs. Feedback highlighted the value of combining group digital learning with hands-on practice, with participants reporting increased motivation and engagement. The Fellow also experienced professional growth, gaining skills in mentoring, leadership, and project management.
CONCLUSIONS:
This pilot demonstrates a low-cost, capacity-building intervention with a scalable and sustainable framework aimed at strengthening public health workforce and nurturing local healthcare leadership in fragile, low-resource contexts.
Globally, the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) stood at 223 per 100,000 live births in 2020. However, sub-Saharan Africa continues to bear a disproportionate burden, with Nigeria’s estimated MMR of approximately 1,047 per 100,000 among the highest worldwide. Within Nigeria, the Northern regions consistently report significantly higher MMRs than the South, exacerbated by fragile systems, insecurity, and limited professional development opportunities for frontline health workers4,5. Addressing these disparities requires innovative, context-sensitive approaches to workforce strengthening, capacity building, and sustainable health system improvement.
METHODS:
The Namu Project UK and Borno State Government, supported by an Eldryd Parry Global Health Partnerships (GHP) Fellowship grant, launched a six-month pilot initiative to embed continuous professional development (CPD) and reflective practice among 20 community health extension workers (CHEWs) in Borno State, Nigeria. Led by a nurse and midwife who is a certified trainer in Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care and Essential Newborn Care, the project employed a blended learning model. Monthly face-to-face practical sessions at primary healthcare centres complemented weekly virtual classes. Custom-designed online modules reinforced key concepts and encouraged reflective practice, while peer-to-peer engagement was facilitated through WhatsApp group discussions. The programme was designed to be inclusive, contextually relevant, and adaptable to local resource constraints.
RESULTS:
Participants demonstrated measurable improvements in knowledge assessments from baseline, along with enhanced clinical skills and increased confidence in managing obstetric and neonatal emergencies. The WhatsApp-based reflective group fostered openness, accountability, and improved communication among CHEWs. Feedback highlighted the value of combining group digital learning with hands-on practice, with participants reporting increased motivation and engagement. The Fellow also experienced professional growth, gaining skills in mentoring, leadership, and project management.
CONCLUSIONS:
This pilot demonstrates a low-cost, capacity-building intervention with a scalable and sustainable framework aimed at strengthening public health workforce and nurturing local healthcare leadership in fragile, low-resource contexts.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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