​​Under-funding of a magic bullet?

Community health workers (CHWs) are regarded to be essential in filling unmet gaps in health service access and coverage related to geographical, financial and socio-cultural barriers in low-resource settings. Country case studies have shown that CHWs can contribute to improving health outcomes for children, pregnant women and other patients, but to be effective, they need to be well-trained and supervised, provided with adequate and timely supplies and medications to deliver and given logistical support. Many CHWs essentially act as volunteers and need to be provided with financial incentives to ensure, at the very least, that they are not left out-of-pocket. If CHWs are to function to their full potential, they and their programmes need to be adequately resourced financially. A recent study explored the extent to which is happening. Read more>