STRENGTHENING PRIMARY CARE: THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSES IN RURAL OUTREACH- SHORT COMMUNICATION

Primary healthcare forms the backbone of equitable and accessible health systems. In rural and underserved areas, community health nurses (CHNs) serve as critical agents of change, bridging healthcare gaps and ensuring essential services reach marginalized populations. This short communication explores the pivotal role of CHNs in strengthening primary care in rural settings, emphasizing their contributions to health education, chronic disease management, maternal and child care, vaccination campaigns, and disease surveillance. Drawing on global and regional examples, the paper highlights the need for policy support, training, and integration of CHNs into broader healthcare systems to realize universal health coverage and improve health equity.