One health worker. More than 50 households. No backup.

For years, Jamilu relied mostly on his experience and existing knowledge to make difficult decisions about caring for his patients. Now, he has another resource to turn to.

Through CARE Nigeria’s Enhancing Resilience in Frontline Community Health Care (EnRiCH) project, Jamilu can access health training courses, a library of health information, and digital support – even in areas with limited internet connectivity.

Implemented in partnership with the Life Helpers Initiative and the Katsina State Ministry of Health, the platform allows health workers to learn at their own pace and access medical information while working.

Jamilu has completed five courses so far, covering child health, maternal health, and communications and advocacy between health workers and patients.

“It has changed how I attend to people, especially when they come in large numbers,” he says. “I feel like I have updated, like a software, and I can respond better to their needs.”

For health workers managing dozens of patients without additional staff support, access to ongoing training and resource materials is important. But knowledge is only one part of providing quality healthcare.

What training can’t replace

“I need more hands, especially for laboratory support and routine immunization services,” Jamilu says.

Despite the new training, he still manages multiple responsibilities alone. That means he works long hours and makes difficult decisions about which patients need attention first, all without being able to consult or rely on peers and colleagues.

The clinic needs broad upgrades to its facility, and lacks consistent access to essential equipment like rapid diagnostic test kits, weighing scales, thermometers, and privacy screens. Without these supplies, even well-trained health workers can struggle to provide quality care. The need is particularly urgent for pregnant women and young children.

Digital training can help health workers build their skills, but it can’t replace essential supplies, adequate facilities, or additional staff. Just as importantly, it can’t give Jamilu colleagues to exchange ideas with, share difficult decisions, or simply lean on during a demanding day.

For communities like Tiki, improving healthcare requires investment in both the people providing it and the facilities where they work.

Investing in the people providing the care

According to CARE Nigeria, approximately 1,500 FCHWs are currently using EnRiCH across 343 health facilities in Katsina State. The project plans to reach 2,000 workers who could collectively serve up to 1 million people across 200,000 households. And the goals don’t stop at additional training. It aims to support FCHWs’ professional development and certification, expand economic opportunities through community savings and loan groups, and advocate for their formal recognition and fair compensation within Nigeria’s healthcare system.

These efforts recognize that improving healthcare isn’t just about teaching workers new skills. It prioritizes ensuring they have the resources, opportunities, and support to continue providing care to their communities.

Aminu Rimaye, EnRiCH project coordinator with CARE Nigeria, notes that patients at Tiki Health Clinic have reported shorter waiting times, fewer referrals to other facilities, and improvements in the care they’re receiving.

“Jamilu’s contributions to quality healthcare delivery have helped strengthen community members’ confidence in the health system,” he says.

The next step is to expand EnRiCH. “Our hope is to sustain and scale up the EnRiCH project to reach more FCHWs across additional states in Nigeria,” Aminu adds.

For Jamilu, the training has already made a difference. “The support has helped me improve how I work and serve my community.”

But his experience also shows the limits of training alone. For more than 50 households relying on Tiki Health Clinic, Jamilu’s new skills matter. So does ensuring he has the staff, equipment, and resources to make the most of them.

CARE began work in Nigeria in 2017. CARE’s key programs in Nigeria are in nutrition, security and livelihoods, reproductive health, prevention of violence against women and girls, and women’s economic empowerment.