Lisez la version française ici. Health systems the world over have embraced the value of community health workers (CHWs) in extending essential services to the community level, improving health equity and progressing toward universal health coverage. Governments now have an opportunity to institutionalize CHW programs and professionalize this essential cadre of the health … [Read more...] about Strengthening Community Health Worker Programs with CHW AIM
The BRAC Shasthya Shebika and Shasthya Kormi Community Health Workers in Bangladesh
Background BRAC, or Building Resources Across Communities, was founded in 1972 and is one of the largest non- governmental organizations in the world. It has been a global leader in developing and scaling up community health worker (CHW) programs to serve Bangladesh’s large rural population. More than three decades ago, BRAC trained paramedics modeled on the barefoot doctor … [Read more...] about The BRAC Shasthya Shebika and Shasthya Kormi Community Health Workers in Bangladesh
Zimbabwe’s Village Health Worker Program
Background The Village Health Worker (VHW) Program in Zimbabwe was first adopted in 1980 when the country transitioned to primary health care (PHC). VHWs are the first point of contact with the health system and they focus on disease prevention by providing community care at the primary level in rural and peri-urban wards. Implementation VHWs work with and among … [Read more...] about Zimbabwe’s Village Health Worker Program
Zambia’s Community Health Assistant Program
Zambian Community Health Assistants each provide health promotion and disease prevention to a catchment area of 1,750 residents. Assistants attend a year-long training program whereupon finishing they receive equipment and tools to perform their respective roles. Evidence consistently demonstrates the effectiveness and essential nature of these assistants in supporting Zambian … [Read more...] about Zambia’s Community Health Assistant Program
Uganda’s Village Health Teams Program
Four-member Community Health Worker teams in Uganda provide home visits and health management services for local communities. Limited funding prevents these workers from receiving regular and consistent supervision. However limited their supervision, the impact of each team has enabled the country to achieve reductions in morbidity and mortality among … [Read more...] about Uganda’s Village Health Teams Program