Mapping and analysing community health worker programmes in the Eastern Mediterranean region

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Systems Strengthening
• Primary Health Care Research

Background:

• Community health worker (CHW) programs are recognized as crucial for advancing comprehensive primary health care (PHC).
• These programs are fundamental to achieving universal health care (UHC) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• The WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean conducted a situational analysis of CHW programs in the region.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the current landscape of CHW programs in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.
• To identify challenges and variations in governance and programmatic structures.
• To highlight the need for further research on the role of CHWs.

Main Methods:

• A two-step approach was utilized.
• Literature review of existing CHW programs in the region.
• A survey of country-led and country-wide CHW programs.

Main Results:

• Thirteen countries reported having CHW programs with diverse structures.
• Programs were categorized into mature national initiatives and smaller emerging projects.
• Some countries explored alternative models like community nursing.

Conclusions:

• CHW programs significantly contribute to promotive, preventive, and emergency services in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.
• Despite their importance, most programs face challenges like weak governance and fragmented support.
• A critical finding is the significant lack of research on the role of CHWs in health service delivery across the region.