Health actors, local elected officials, and ministerial representatives in Senegal have advocated for a legal framework, certified training, and professional status for community health workers. This call was made during a strategic orientation workshop focused on revising the National Community Health Policy, organized by the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene. The workshop provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss the integration of community health workers into the healthcare system.
Dr. Kalidou Ba, President of the Technical Working Group (GTT), emphasized the need for the formal integration of community health workers into the healthcare system. He noted that community health workers are already recognized and involved in various health initiatives but require a clear legal status to be fully valued and recognized by institutions. This recognition would enable them to have a structured career plan, medical coverage, and retirement prospects.
The proposed reform aims to align with national and sub-regional orientations, as advocated by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Health Organization (WAHO), to modernize community-based care. Dr. Ba stressed the link between learning and professional recognition, stating that professionalization requires qualifying training and a certified diploma. This would ultimately lead to the granting of an official status guaranteeing a genuine career.
Souadou Gueye, representing grassroots organizations, supported the vision, emphasizing the need for standardized training curricula and a solid regulatory framework to sustainably improve the quality of care provided to populations. She highlighted that this would consolidate the quality of care and ensure that community health workers are not neglected when they fall ill.
Amy Mbacké presented the master plan for the reforms, detailing the technical components of this transformation. The methodology adopted is based on harmonizing teaching modules, establishing rigorous mechanisms for evaluating competencies, and creating a statutory grid specific to community health professionals. Stakeholders agreed on the urgency of establishing a legal and statutory framework to guarantee social equity for frontline actors and strengthen the national healthcare system's effectiveness.
The workshop provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss the challenges faced by community health workers and potential solutions. The participants acknowledged that community health workers play a vital role in the healthcare system but often lack the recognition and support they deserve. By granting them a professional status, the government aims to address these challenges and improve the overall quality of care.
The advocacy for a professional status for community health workers is part of a broader effort to strengthen the healthcare system in Senegal. The government, in collaboration with stakeholders, aims to ensure that community health workers have the necessary support and recognition to provide quality care to populations. This move is expected to have a positive impact on the healthcare system and the lives of community health workers.
Key points
- Community health workers in Senegal require a legal framework, certified training, and professional status to improve their working conditions and the quality of care provided.
