Living Goods at UNGA 79: Securing the Future with Empowered Community Health Workers

Great start to The UN General Assembly (UNGA79) with a side event hosted by the Community Health Impact Coalition (CHIC). During this event, participants highlighted the transformative potential of salaried, skilled, and supervised community health workers (CHWs).

Despite global efforts, half of the world’s population still lacks essential health services, while millions of CHWs remain underpaid, unsupervised, and unequipped. A single policy shift could revolutionize health systems.
Undeniable evidence demonstrates that empowered CHWs significantly improve access, equity, and health outcomes. With 40 countries already on board, the event emphasized the strategic steps needed to implement pro-CHW policies in 95 countries, ensuring health for all, today and tomorrow.

Key speakers included Dr Sania Nishtar (CEO, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance), Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng (Minister of Health, Uganda), Hon. Dr. Kargougou (Minister of Health, Burkina Faso), Hon. Khumbize-Kandodo Chiponda (Minister of Health, Malawi), Dr. Austin Demby (Minister of Health, Sierra Leone), Ramatu Jalloh (CHW Advocate), and Dr. Atul Gawande (Assistant Administrator for Global Health, USAID).

Dr. JaneRuth Aceng (Minister of Health, Uganda)

During the session, Dr. JaneRuth Aceng highlighted the stark contrast between the high disease burden in Uganda and the low pay of community health extension workers delivering preventative services. “75% of our disease burden is preventable. Yet, community health extension workers are paid only $50 per month—not as a salary, but as an allowance,” she said.
Ramatu Jalloh emphasized the power of advocacy in driving positive change.

A highlight from the event was the comparison between Thailand and the US, where healthcare spending per person is significantly different, yet life expectancy remains similar. This is largely attributed to the strength of community health workers and their supervisors increasing access to primary health care in Thailand cost-effectively.

Learnings from the session:

• Change begins and ends in the community. With 75% of diseases being preventable, investing in community health is not only essential but transformative.
• A patient-centered approach is crucial. if we aim to shift care for common illnesses away from hospitals. This underscores the need to fully integrate CHWs into health service delivery.
• The critical role of CHWs has been continuously reaffirmed, especially during pandemic outbreaks. They are vital in mitigating the impact of health crises at the community level.
• CHWs complement the work of other healthcare professionals. Achieving primary healthcare goals requires teamwork, with CHWs playing a pivotal role.
• Despite heavy workloads and security risks, CHWs remain dedicated to saving lives in their communities. Unfortunately, in many countries, they are still unpaid.
• CHWs deserve a seat at the decision-making table. They are best positioned to advocate for their challenges and successes.
• Governments, donors, and partners must make strong commitments to support CHWs and ensure these commitments are fully realized.

Dr. Madeleine Ballard, CEO of CHICDr. Madeleine Ballard, CEO of CHIC, concluded with a powerful message: “Real change-makers don’t quit. Together we’ve been able to put proCHWs in the spotlight; now it’s time to make them the standard. We’re halfway up the ladder together, let’s keep climbing.”
Let’s continue the journey toward achieving global health equity by prioritizing professional CHWs.