Who are Community Health Workers?
Many developing countries experience a critical shortage in doctors, nurses, and midwives, especially in remote areas. Community Health Workers (CHWs) are highly respected women and men nominated by their neighbours to fill this gap. CHWs receive training on basic health promotion and preventative care techniques but do not hold a professional health qualification.
CHWs provide essential services, and encourage high impact, low cost, life-saving interventions such as good nutrition during pregnancy, delivering a baby in a health centre instead of at home where the risks are much higher and taking their babies to the health centre for check-ups. By providing regular visits to pregnant women and children, they play a vital role in mitigating mother and child health deaths, especially in hard to reach areas.
