With a shortage of 43 million health workers and half the global population without adequate access to essential health services, now is the moment for boldness that can reshape health care for generations. Today, millions of experienced and trusted community health workers (CHWs) operate outside formal systems with most unsupervised, unequipped, and undertrained. This is a dual-sided human rights issue; CHWs are exploited and less effective for patients.
Undeniable evidence shows that proCHWs have “big” impacts, significantly improving health outcomes and equitable access at scale. ProCHWs effectively address reproductive, maternal, neonatal, and child health needs, and infectious and non-communicable diseases. And they perform best where they’re needed most, providing vital care at the last mile—where health facilities alone are inadequate—and improving access to care amongst the most vulnerable.
Beyond the health and access benefits, integrating proCHWs into health systems is cost-effective. CHW-led services reduce costs for patients and healthcare systems, drive economic growth through improved health and increased employment, and ultimately generate returns of up to 10:1.
Importantly, integrating CHWs into existing health systems is also “simple enough.” The proCHW Policy Dashboard shows that over 40 countries have established a salaried and accredited proCHW workforce. Heads of State and Health Ministers from the remaining 60 dashboard countries can confidently join them, using proven frameworks for design, implementation, and cost planning.
Integrating proCHWs into health systems is a transformative strategy for achieving health for all, and government ministers can realise such integration within a single term.
Full commentary in The Lancet
