Unlocking the community health workforce potential, post-Ebola: what models and strategies work?

Authors: Wilton Park, mPowering Frontline Health Workers

The Ebola pandemic of 2014-16 demonstrated the crucial role of the community health workforce in preventing, responding to, and effectively treating health emergencies. As the West Africa region rebuilds its health systems after Ebola, countries and communities have identified a need to develop strategies and plans to embed the role of the community health workers (CHWs) as a foundation of an effective healthcare system. The aim of this report is to outline conclusions from the Wilton Park meeting on the topic. The meeting aimed to develop clear ways forward for Ebola-affected countries in developing a strong community workforce; to share lessons learned from countries with strong community health systems; and to align the needs of Ebola-affected countries with global efforts to develop and support CHW programmes in a highly complex set of interrelated programmes in a highly complex set of interrelated environments.