It is often said that ‘In the heart of every community, there is work that is noble, valuable, and essential’. At the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 78), community health workers proved this adage right. Their presence was not just acknowledged; it was celebrated.
Here are some reflections from our time at UNGA 78, where community health workers were central to global public health discussions.
Elevating the Voices, Unveiling Realities
The stories shared in New York by community health workers themselves took center stage. Multiple events featured their voices and experiences providing care in the world’s most remote places. ‘The time to invest in community health workers is not tomorrow, it’s not soon, it’s now,’ said Bupe Sinkala, a CHW from Zambia, at a side event organized by the Community Health Impact Coalition. Despite their presence at UNGA, most continue to face barriers to attendance.
Growing Momentum for Increased Investments
The Political Declaration on universal health coverage recognized community health as critical to achieving health for all. It calls for increased investment in the training, development, recruitment, payment, and retention of the health workforce. This is a strong commitment by Member States to accelerate the financing for their national health programs. In addition, it calls for the private sector, philanthropy, and nonprofits to work alongside governments in a coordinated manner. Approaches like the “one plan, one budget, one report” or the multisectoral Africa Frontline First Catalytic Fund have proven to be effective in achieving impact.
“The Africa Frontline First Catalytic Fund is among the largest efforts involving multiple private sector philanthropy… The fund aims to transform the work of 220,000 community health workers in eight African countries.” – @GlobalFund Board Chair Lady Roslyn Morauta at #CGI2023 pic.twitter.com/HDScwo9S9A
— The Global Fund (@GlobalFund) September 18, 2023
On the Frontlines of Pandemic Preparedness and Climate Change:
Recognition for community health workers extended beyond routine healthcare. The Political Declaration on pandemic preparedness and response featured the significant dual role of community health workers in preventing and responding to pandemics and building climate-resilient nations. However, one in three workers face essential medicine stock-outs, and a lack of integration of disease surveillance activities at the community level continues to affect their performance. A strong, accessible, reliable everyday health system rooted at the community level offers the best strategy to address the devastating effects of pandemics and climate change.
Conclusion
As we move from UNGA 78, we must follow commitments with actions. Only through collaboration across sectors will we achieve the good health and wellbeing of everyone. Africa Frontline First remains committed to work with governments and partners to transform Africa’s community health landscape. It is the task of all of us to ensure the crucial work of community health workers is not just recognized but resourced for sustained impact.