ETHIOPIA —The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (African CDC) has hosted a high-level event focused on Community Health Workforce Systems and programs in Africa.
With the goal of integrating Community Health Workers (CHW) programs into national health planning, policy, and management, the event aimed to extend the reach of healthcare to subnational and community levels.
During the event, Amb. Semate Cessouma highlighted the endorsement of the 2 million CHWs initiative by Heads of State during the 29th AU summit in 2017.
The urgency to recruit, train, and deploy these CHWs across the continent was emphasized, calling for collaboration between the African CDC and its partners.
High-level remarks and panel discussions featured Ministers of Health, officials from the World Health Organisation (WHO), the International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), UNICEF, UNAIDS, and representatives of Community Health Workers.
The meeting urged AU member states to address financing challenges and opportunities in institutionalizing CHW programs.
Drawing from lessons learned during the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa and the recent COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General for the African CDC, stressed the essential role of community health workers in providing basic healthcare services and supporting emergency preparedness and response.
According to a 2021 Africa CDC report, there is a staggering US$2 billion funding gap each year for a fully integrated CHW system in sub-Saharan Africa.
However, the same report highlights that every dollar invested in Community Health generates a remarkable US$10 return on investment.
Thus, addressing challenges related to health workforce availability is crucial in achieving sustainable development goal (SDG) 3 and ensuring universal health coverage and health equity.
Xavier Castellanos, Undersecretary General of the IFRC, emphasized the significance of community trust and the critical role of community health workers in driving successful public health efforts. He stressed the need for various voices, particularly those of CHWs, to be heard and respected.
A recent survey conducted by the Africa CDC revealed gaps in financing, sustainability, information systems, and policies for Community Health programs across participating Member States.
Inadequate investment cases and budget lines for CHWs were found, with many countries still relying on paper-based data collection systems and failing to integrate CHW data into health information systems.
To address these challenges, strengthening national policies in education, training, and job requirements aligned with population health needs is crucial.
Implementing standard operating procedures based on WHO CHW Guideline recommendations, tailored to each country’s context, is also essential.
Political prioritization and sustainable resource allocation, along with the commitment of advocates at all levels, are key to promoting and accelerating this high-level commitment.
With a continental coordination mechanism for Community Health in Africa on the horizon, the Africa CDC remains dedicated to leading and implementing CHW programs, urging collaborative efforts among partners for their long-term sustainability.
The event’s diverse participation of 227 individuals from 34 countries across 5 continents underscores the importance of prioritizing Community Health in Africa.
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