US-trained Health Practitioner, Chris Chukwunyere Empowers Youth to Enhance Access
Mary Nnah
Chris Chukwunyere, a 2023 Information Futures Fellow at Brown University School of Public Health, USA, is spearheading a groundbreaking project that harnesses the power of young Nigerians to expand access to correct and culturally appropriate health information.
This is by assessing health challenges and health information needs across communities in Nigeria.
With a vision to empower young people as agents of change, Chris’ initiative is transforming lives and inspiring a new generation of young leaders.
Under the project titled “Assessing the Prevalent Diseases Conditions and Health Information Needs Across Communities in Nigeria”, Chukwunyere collaborated with 40 young community influencers residing in semi-urban and rural areas across seven States in Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja.
The project encompassed several key components that facilitated the realisation of its goals. The first phase was identifying and recruiting young community influencers who are passionate about creating social impact. These individuals were then equipped with knowledge and resources to enhance their leadership capabilities and build their skill set in conducting comprehensive community health needs assessments.
The second phase involved conducting community health needs assessments, analysing the data, and reporting on the identified gaps.
By delving into the specific health challenges faced by communities, the project shed light on the urgent requirements for improvement and laid the foundation for tailored solutions.
Chukwunyere organised co-creation workshops, where young people took centre stage in developing youth-led local solutions aimed at addressing the health information gaps identified during the community health needs assessment. These workshops fostered an environment of collaboration, innovation, and creativity, allowing the participants to envision transformative strategies to improve health outcomes in their respective communities.
Among the notable solutions created was Health Info Africa, a versatile digital platform that delivers health information using culturally appropriate messaging. This comprehensive platform includes a website, a YouTube channel, and various social media platforms. Through the power of social media, the project reached an impressive audience of over 100,000 people within just one month. To further extend the platform’s reach, Chukwunyere plans to develop a user-friendly smartphone application, ensuring that health information is accessible to even more people.
The impact of Chukwunyere’s project extends far beyond the immediate results it has achieved. By actively involving young people in the decision-making processes, the initiative has demonstrated that they possess the ability to contribute to the development of their communities. This project has empowered them to engage in advocacy, community mobilization, and collective action to drive meaningful change.
The 40 young participants in this project, who hail from rural and semi-urban communities, intimately understand the burden of health inequities, poverty, and disease within their communities, and their personal experiences served as the driving force behind their unwavering commitment to the initiative.
Chukwunyere’s tireless efforts to harness the potential of Nigeria’s youthful population are an inspiration for all. By engaging young people in understanding the problem plaguing their communities, and providing them with the necessary tools, knowledge, and platforms they need to actively participate in creating the solutions, Chris has unlocked a wave of transformation that is poised to shape the future of Nigeria’s public health landscape.
It is believed that as these young agents of change continue to make their mark, their actions embody the hope and promise of a brighter, healthier Nigeria.
