Post Graduate Diploma in Community Disaster and Humanitarian Emergencies

Programme Overview for Prospective Students

Prepare to become a frontline responder and community health leader in disaster and emergency situations with this specialized postgraduate programme. Designed to equip community health professionals with comprehensive skills in disaster risk management, humanitarian response, and emergency health coordination, this diploma addresses critical gaps in Nigeria's disaster preparedness and response systems while building capacity for effective humanitarian interventions at the community level.

Programme Structure

First Semester (21 Credit Units)

Establish foundational knowledge in disaster concepts, risk management, and emergency response principles.

Course Code	Course Title	CU	LH	PH	CH
CHIH 711	Concepts of Disaster	3	3	0	45
CHIH 712	Disaster Risk Management	3	3	0	45
CHIH 713	Public Health Emergencies	3	2	1	75
CHIH 714	Communication in Disaster Management	3	3	1	45
CHIH 715	Pollution Management	3	3	0	75
CHIG 711	Bioethics	3	45	-	45
CHIG 712	Research Methods and Seminar	3	45	-	45

Second Semester (25 Credit Units)

Develop advanced skills in disaster response, humanitarian coordination, and community management.

Course Code	Course Title	CU	LH	PH	CH
CHIH 721	Disaster Preparedness and Responses	3	3	0	75
CHIH 722	Search and Rescue Operation	3	3	0	75
CHIH 723	Disaster Relief and Recovery	4	0	4	90
CHIH 724	Humanitarian Response and Coordination	3	3	0	75
CHIH 725	Basic Humanitarian Law	3	3	0	45
CHIG 721	Community Health Management	3	45	-	45
CHIG 722	Research Project	6	30	180	210

Total Programme: 46 Credit Units | 1,000 Contact Hours

What You Will Learn to Do

Clinical Functions in Emergency Settings:

Manage mass casualties effectively in disaster and emergency situations
Establish medical contingencies for various types of emergencies
Implement disaster preparedness plans at primary healthcare facility level
Pre-stock medical logistics and supplies for emergency referrals
Provide adequate management and care for survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Vulnerable Children (VCs)

Community-Based Public Health Functions:

Implement effective disaster surveillance strategies at the community level
Apply appropriate skills in disaster preparedness and response techniques
Conduct search and rescue operations for disaster victims in community settings
Manage public health emergencies including disease outbreaks in disaster contexts
Implement pollution management strategies in post-disaster environments

Management and Coordination Functions:

Apply planning strategies for disaster risk reduction (DRR) in community settings
Implement effective disaster response and relief strategies
Coordinate humanitarian responses in collaboration with national and international agencies
Apply basic humanitarian law principles in emergency interventions
Manage communication systems during disaster and emergency situations

Accreditation and Recognition

This Post Graduate Diploma in Community Disaster and Humanitarian Emergencies, offered by Community Health Training Institutions in Nigeria, shall be accredited by the Community Health Practitioners Registration Board of Nigeria (CHPRBN) before graduates can be awarded a Certificate of Specialty in Community Disaster and Humanitarian Emergencies.

Information on programme accreditation can be obtained from:
Office of the Registrar, Community Health Practitioners Registration Board of Nigeria,
Plot 689 Cadastral Zone, B08, No. 10 Babatope Ajakaiya Crescent (Oundo by Katanga),
Jahi District, Abuja, Nigeria.

Who Should Enroll?

Eligibility Requirements:

Holders of Diploma/Higher Diploma in certificate as Community Health Officer
Holders of Higher National Diploma in Community Health
Holders of Bachelor Degree in Community Health (BCH)

The curriculum is primarily designed for the training of licensed Community Health Practitioners from public and private institutions seeking specialization in disaster and humanitarian response.

Programme Duration

Minimum Duration: 12 months (2 semesters)
Maximum Duration: 24 months (4 semesters)
Course Structure:
- Classroom coursework (theory): First Semester
- Practical placement and general courses: Second Semester
- System of practical placement based on CHPRBN policy
- Research Project and Defense: 4 months

Programme Administration and Delivery

Mode of Delivery: Lectures, practical sessions, and examinations over 8 months (4 months each semester)
Assessment Structure:
- Continuous Assessment: 30%
- Final Examination: 70%
  - Written Examination: 30%
  - Practical Examination: 30%
  - Viva Voce: 10%

Graduation Requirements

Minimum Credit Units: 45 credit units (including Research Project)
Duration Requirement: Minimum 12 months (2 semesters); maximum of 24 months (4 semesters)
Academic Performance: Students must register and earn a minimum 50% pass in a minimum of 40-48 units of written courses to qualify for graduation

Career Pathways

Community Disaster Management Specialists in primary health centers
Emergency Response Coordinators in local government health departments
Humanitarian Programme Officers with national and international NGOs
Disaster Risk Reduction Officers in public health agencies
Search and Rescue Team Leaders in emergency response units
Public Health Emergency Preparedness Officers
Research Officers in disaster and humanitarian studies

Programme Goal

The goal of this curriculum is to produce Community Health Officers with appropriate knowledge, adequate skills, and good attitude towards effective delivery of Disaster Management and Humanitarian Emergencies services, contributing to reduced mortality, morbidity, and suffering during disasters and humanitarian crises in Nigeria.

Become a certified specialist in community disaster and humanitarian response and contribute to building resilient communities in Nigeria. Equip yourself with comprehensive skills to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters while providing effective humanitarian assistance in emergency situations.