Abia Assembly Moves to Resolve Leadership Tussle in Local Government Health Authorities.

Abia Assembly Moves to Resolve Leadership Tussle in Local Government Health Authorities.

The Abia State House of Assembly has intensified efforts to restore peace and stability in the state’s local government health authorities following a lingering leadership dispute between community health practitioners and nurses.

The intervention followed a petition submitted to the Assembly by the Community Health Practitioners of Nigeria, seeking clarification and appropriate resolution of the leadership structure within health authorities across the state’s local government areas.

Presenting the report of the House Committee on Health, its Chairman, Hon. Emeka Obioma Tommy, explained that community health practitioners are trained and licensed by the Community Health Practitioners Registration Board of Nigeria to provide and manage community-based healthcare services.

He noted that nurses, on the other hand, are regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, with their professional training primarily focused on clinical and institutional healthcare delivery.

According to Tommy, although both professionals play important roles in the healthcare system, their training, orientation and statutory responsibilities are different.

He further explained that the appointment of heads of healthcare facilities is determined by factors including professional qualifications, seniority, years of service and staff availability.

The committee chairman disclosed that Community Health Officers currently head most primary healthcare facilities across the local government areas of Abia State.

To address the recurring disagreement, the committee recommended that the issue of headship between nurses and community health officers be reviewed on a quarterly basis.

It also recommended that future postings within the local government health authorities should promote fairness, inclusivity and balanced representation among the various professional cadres.

The committee’s report has subsequently been committed to the Committee of the Whole for further consideration and legislative action.

The Assembly’s intervention is expected to help clarify professional roles, reduce tensions and strengthen effective administration and service delivery within Abia’s local government health authorities.