Community health worker (CHW) programmes have received much attention since the 1978 Declaration of Alma-Ata, with many initiatives established in developing countries. However, CHW programmes often suffer high attrition once the initial enthusiasm of volunteers wanes. In 2002, Uganda began implementing a national CHW programme called the village health teams (VHTs), but their … [Read more...] about Selection and performance of village health teams (VHTs) in Uganda: lessons from the natural helper model of health promotion
Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)
Strengthening Primary Health Care through Community Health Workers: Investment Case and Financing Recommendations
Despite the progress some countries have made in scaling up CHW programs, many countries that would benefit from strong CHW cadres currently have only ad hoc, sub-scale programs. This problem extends even to high-income countries that would benefit from CHW programs to provide cost-effective care and battle chronic disease. Countries wishing to scale these programs using a … [Read more...] about Strengthening Primary Health Care through Community Health Workers: Investment Case and Financing Recommendations
Task Shifting Provision of Contraceptive Implants to Community Health Extension Workers: Results of Operations Research in Northern Nigeria
Among family planning methods, long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), consisting of intrauterine devices (IUDs) and implants, have a proven record of high effectiveness and high user satisfaction, and they are not dependent on user adherence. However, despite the many advantages of LARCs, contraceptive implants, which are among the most effective LARCs, make up a very … [Read more...] about Task Shifting Provision of Contraceptive Implants to Community Health Extension Workers: Results of Operations Research in Northern Nigeria
Financing CHW Systems at Scale in sub-Saharan Africa: Workshop Report
This report from the One Million Community Health Workers (1mCHW) Campaign on the outcomes from its 2015 workshop, Financing Community Health Worker Systems at Scale in Sub-Saharan Africa, shows that there is a timely opportunity to invest in government-led scale-up of community health worker programs in sub-Saharan Africa. Released today, the report highlights the importance … [Read more...] about Financing CHW Systems at Scale in sub-Saharan Africa: Workshop Report
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
