Monrovia – The Liberian Board for Nursing and Midwifery (LBNM) has made another breakthrough by developing and validating the Country’s first National Community Health Services Supervisors Curriculum to be taught at accredited Nursing and Midwifery Training Institutions across the Country.
The CHSS Post-Basic/Specialty Program was validated on Friday December 6, 2024 at the Liberia Chamber of Commerce in Monrovia after three days of intense deliberations and validation processes by stakeholders.
From August 2024 to January 2025, with funding from the International Rescue Committee (IRC)-Liberia and technical support from national and international experts, LBNM developed and validated the National Community Health Services Supervisors curriculum which aligns with the educational standards of the World Health Organization (WHO), West African Health Organization (WAHO), International Council of Nurses (ICN), International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), West Africa Postgraduate College of Nurses & Midwives (WAPCNM), the Government of Liberia and LBNM educational standards.
The program is designed to build the professional proficiency and autonomy of nurses and midwives in the specialized role of Community Health Services Supervisors (CHSS).
It will enhance their capacity to address the expanding healthcare challenges in Liberia, cultivate leadership in primary healthcare, and contribute to strengthening Liberia’s health systems while advancing the goals of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Furthermore, this new cadre of Community Health Nursing/Midwifery specialists will be integrated into Liberia’s National Specialty Registry, ensuring alignment with regional and global standards.
Presenting synopsis of the CHSS Curriculum structure, the Chairman of the Liberian Board for Nursing and Midwifery, Mr. Humphrey Gibbs Loweal, said the new curriculum offers a forward-thinking and comprehensive approach to community health through alignment with National Health Priorities, introduction of Evidence-Based Practice and Research, strengthened role of Nurses and Midwives, professional registration and licensure, focus on critical thinking and innovation, and support for professional development.
“The CHSS curriculum is to prepare nurses to tackle global health challenges and contribute to the sustainable development goals as well as Liberian’s achievement to the universal health coverage and also promote equitable healthcare delivery system” Mr. Loweal stated.
According to him, the CHSS Post-Basic/Specialty Program is granted in the principles of public health and nursing, thus incorporating global health perspectives.
The National Community Health Services Supervisors Curriculum was developed and validated through the guidance of national and international experts. One of such is Madam Betina Muthama, a Health Systems Specialist from Kenya.
Madam Muthama described the CHSS Curriculum as a great milestone that seeks to promote and strengthen the health delivery system at the local level.
“This curriculum is basically a curriculum for the community. It is a specialist program for those who are already trained or have basic training in nursing.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC)-Liberia provided funding for the entire process.
The project Director – USAID Community Health Activity (USAID-CHA) at the International Rescue Committee, Mrs. Dianah Dedell Makekodunmi, described the development, validation and institutionalization of the CHSS curriculum as a fulfilment of a dream come through and pledged IRC’s continued commitment to working with the Liberian Board for Nursing and Midwifery for the good of the nursing profession.
The Nursing and Midwifery Board is now tasked to disseminate the National CHSS Post-Basic/Specialty Curriculum to all key stakeholders in the health, education, and policy domains starting in January 2025.
The LBNM will also begin the Institutionalization of the National CHSS Post-Basic/Specialty Program Curriculum as part of its national advanced specialty training courses while no part of the curriculum is prohibited from alteration by any individuals or institutions without prior approval from the Board.
