A range of formal and informal close-to-community (CTC) health service providers operate in an increasingly urbanized Bangladesh. Informal CTC health service providers play a key role in Bangladesh’s pluralistic health system, yet the reasons for their popularity and their interactions with formal providers and the community are poorly understood. This paper aims to understand … [Read more...] about Exploring the context in which different close-to-community sexual and reproductive health service providers operate in Bangladesh: a qualitative study
Using a human resource management approach to support community health workers: experiences from five African countries
Like any other health worker, community health workers (CHWs) need to be supported to ensure that they are able to contribute effectively to health programmes. Management challenges, similar to those of managing any other health worker, relate to improving attraction, retention and performance. Exploratory case studies of CHW programmes in the Democratic Republic of Congo, … [Read more...] about Using a human resource management approach to support community health workers: experiences from five African countries
Strategic partnering to improve community health worker programming and performance: features of a community-health system integrated approach
There is robust evidence that community health workers (CHWs) in low- and middle-income (LMIC) countries can improve their clients’ health and well-being. The evidence on proven strategies to enhance and sustain CHW performance at scale, however, is limited. Nevertheless, CHW stakeholders need guidance and new ideas, which can emerge from the recognition that CHWs function at … [Read more...] about Strategic partnering to improve community health worker programming and performance: features of a community-health system integrated approach
Exploring competing experiences and expectations of the revitalized community health worker programme in Mozambique: an equity analysis
Mozambique launched its revitalized community health programme in 2010 in response to inequitable coverage and quality of health services. The programme is focused on health promotion and disease prevention, with 20% of community health workers’ (known in Mozambique as Agentes Polivalentes Elementares (APEs)) time spent on curative services and 80% on activities promoting … [Read more...] about Exploring competing experiences and expectations of the revitalized community health worker programme in Mozambique: an equity analysis
Snap shots from a photo competition: what does it reveal about close-to-community providers, gender and power in health systems?
In this commentary, we discuss a photography competition, launched during the summer of 2014, to explore the everyday stories of how gender plays out within health systems around the world. While no submission fees were charged nor financial awards involved, the winning entries were exhibited at the Global Symposium on Health Systems Research in Cape Town, South Africa, in … [Read more...] about Snap shots from a photo competition: what does it reveal about close-to-community providers, gender and power in health systems?