Ward Health System in Nigeria: An Assessment of the Awareness and Role of Community Members

Ifeoma Anne Njelita^1, , Patrick Anibbe Ikani², Chinyerem Cynthia Nwachukwu¹, Ifeanyi Gabriel Eyisi¹, Chijioke Amara Ezenyeaku³, Chigozie Ozoemena Ifeadike³ and Chukwudi Uchenna Njelita⁴

¹Department of Community Medicine and Primary Health Care, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Awka, Nigeria

²Institute of Strategic Communication, Development and Innovation (ISCODI), Abuja, Nigeria

³Department of Community Medicine and Primary Health Care, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi, Nigeria

⁴Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ASPHCDA), Awka, Nigeria

Cite this paper:
Ifeoma Anne Njelita, Patrick Anibbe Ikani, Chinyerem Cynthia Nwachukwu, Ifeanyi Gabriel Eyisi, Chijioke Amara Ezenyeaku, Chigozie Ozoemena Ifeadike and Chukwudi Uchenna Njelita. Ward Health System in Nigeria: An Assessment of the Awareness and Role of Community Members. American Journal of Biomedical Research. 2023; 11(1):1-6. doi: 10.12691/ajbr-11-1-1

Abstract

Ward Health System is an implementation strategy of Primary Health Care in Nigeria. It was introduced in 2001 and is aimed at promoting community mobilization and participation in health care, thereby enhancing an effective, efficient and sustainable health care system. This study assessed the awareness and role of community members in the Ward Health System. A semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to conduct an exit poll of 240 Primary Health Care facility clients. Approximately 12%, 13% and 29% of the respondents had ever heard of the terms Ward Health System, Village Development Committee and Ward Development committee respectively, while up to 73% have no idea of the role of any of the stakeholders. Inadequate knowledge and involvement of the community members in the Ward Health System constitutes a big challenge to the effective and efficient implementation of Primary Health Care in Nigeria. Efforts towards community education on Ward Health System should be intensified.

Keywords:
ward health system primary health care community members stakeholders

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