World Health Assembly 78.

The Agenda.

PROCHW MOVEMENT AT WHA78.

The Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly was held in Geneva, Switzerland, on 19–27 May 2025. Under the theme ‘One World for Health’, and as the premier global health policy-making body, the Assembly brought together representatives from all World Health Organization (WHO) member states, as well as advocates, funders and stakeholders from across global health.

The Coalition and partners sought to influence WHA discussions and decision-making at the highest-level. Together we aimed to:

influence discussions on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (PPPR), non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and climate change
engage countries with active policy review windows
disseminate key research findings
facilitate the inclusion of evidence-based and technically sound proCHW statements on the official WHA proceedings

As a Coalition we understand that global challenges call for local solutions. CHWs, at the forefront of tackling the consequences of climate disasters, health emergencies and the growing burden of NCDs, are part of the solution. Our key message was that investing in proCHWs is simple, low-cost and effective.

JULIUS MBEYA — LWALA COMMUNITY ALLIANCE

“In the face of economic downturns, political instability, climate change, armed conflict, and pandemic risks, investing in professional CHWs – who are salaried, skilled, supervised, and supplied – is a strategic decision.”

Two panellists speaking at World Health Assembly 78

CHIC Side Event

TRANSFORMING HEALTHCARE.

Imagine a world where every person has access to essential health services, no matter where they live. Despite decades of investment, half of the global population still lacks this fundamental right. Meanwhile, millions of community health workers (CHWs) remain unintegrated in the formal health system: unsupervised, unequipped, and unpaid. A single policy change could transform health systems worldwide. Ministers and heads of state have a unique opportunity to leave a lasting legacy by transforming their current CHW workforce into professional CHWs (proCHWs) working alongside other healthcare workers.

During WHA week, the Coalition hosted an in-person event, ‘Transforming Healthcare: Integrating professional CHWs into healthcare systems in one term’, supported by Johnson & Johnson. We learned from frontline CHW advocates, visionary policymakers, and pioneering funders about the strategic steps needed to implement proCHW policies in 95 countries. With 49 countries already on board, we outlined how we can collaboratively achieve global health equity and transform healthcare with proCHWs.

We are grateful to our speakers for bringing this work to life and rallying others to join the movement:

Hon. Dr. Robert Lucien Kargougou, Minister of Health, Burkina Faso
Mary Muthoni, Principal Secretary (PS) for Public Health and Professional Standards, Government of Kenya
Dr. Andrei Rohan Chell, Delegate, Ministry of Health, Belize
Millicent Miruka, CHW, Lwala Community Alliance, Kenya
Saida Shisia Odour, CHW Supervisor, Kenya
Dr. Sania Nishtar, CEO, Gavi the Vaccine Alliance
Alice Lin Fabiano, Vice President for Social Impact and Partnerships, Global Health Equity, Johnson & Johnson
Catherine Kane, Technical Officer, Health Workforce Department, WHO
Julius Mbeya, Co-CEO, Lwala Community Alliance
Mallika Raghavan, CHIC Advisory Board Member and Deputy Chief Program Officer, Last Mile Health

A full video of this session can be viewed online. And individual speaker videos are available, too.

DR. SANIA NISHTAR — GAVI

“It is community health workers who have the knowledge and the expertise, and who have the trust…it is them who take primary healthcare to the last mile.”

PROGRESS AT WHA.

Throughout the Assembly, we closely followed relevant agenda items and discussions, including economic downturns, political instability, climate change, NCDs, and pandemic risks. As a Coalition we know that to address these areas and truly reach health for all, community health programs must be set up to succeed. Here’s what we saw at WHA78.

PROCHW LANGUAGE.

This year, we saw a powerful uptake of proCHW messaging in proceedings at and around the WHA. Country delegations from Belize, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Uganda, Sudan and others highlighted CHWs as vital for responsive, equitable and resilient health systems. These endorsements underscore the growing influence of our movement and show how governments can learn from one another when it comes to delivering proCHW policy.

POLITICAL WILL & FUNDING FOR PROCHWS.

Many countries expressed sustained political will in professional community health programs, but also called for support, funding and collaboration from external sources to meet their goals. However, at the same time other countries are considering a rollback on their proCHW agenda. And while there were many discussions about financing, conversations around efficiency, accountability and governance were also notable.

CHWs IN THE ROOM!

This year, due to support from Coalition members, two CHW Advocates took the mic at side events. Millicent Miruka and Saida Shisia Odour spoke at 11 events, sharing expertise on health emergency outbreaks, sustainable health financing, and maternal and child health. The knowledge, passion and vital contributions that these Advocates brought to discussions prove that there is no longer an excuse to not have CHWs in the room whenever community health is discussed. We look forward to more CHWs attending next year!

Millicent Miruka — LWALA COMMUNITY ALLIANCE

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“We need policymakers to value what CHWs bring to the table. And to involve us in decision-making and service design.”

Panellist speaking at World Health Assembly 78

WHAT NEXT?

Onwards Together.

As a movement, we’re making incredible progress. In 2018, we influenced the creation of the inaugural CHW Guideline published by the World Health Organization. The release of the document was a landmark moment for the proCHW movement. Since then, we got from guideline to country adoption. But the job is not done yet. The score is currently 49 countries with a proCHW policy. We want to get to 95. To keep up our progress, we need to stay together, and stay in the game.

While today’s challenges may seem daunting, the evidence is clear: proCHWs deliver high-impact, cost-effective results, even in the toughest times. It’s time to make proCHWs the norm worldwide.

Mallika Raghavan — Last Mile Health

“If you’re a policymaker, this is your legacy project: adopt proCHW national policy. If you’re a funder, invest in proCHWs and make proCHWs a requirement for funding. And if you’re a CHW or allied organisation, join the movement and make your voice heard.”