The new WHO Guideline on Health policy and system support to optimize community health worker programmes provides evidence-informed guidance on *how* to fully harness the potential of CHWs.
Download the highlights here:
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/275501/WHO-HIS-HWF-CHW-2018.1-eng.pdf?ua=1
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Barriers to achieving health goals
• Lack of health workers,
• Unevenly distributed health workers and facilities,
• Most vulnerable people and communities unable to access health services,
• Low quality of care, and
• Inadequate health worker training, supervision and support.
The WHO Global Strategy on Human Resources for Health: Workforce 2030 encourages countries to adopt a diverse, sustainable skills mix, harnessing the potential of community-based and mid-level health workers in inter-professional
primary care teams.
The WHO document on which this product is based provides evidence-based policy guidance to support national strategies and investments to build fit-forpurpose community-based health workforces.
The increased coverage of essential health services and improved equity in coverage envisioned by well-functioning community health worker programmes will result in fewer deaths and illnesses and lower disease burdens.
Best wishes, Neil