Community health workers: Vanguards of hope for sustainable healthcare development in developing countries- the ECHP experience


Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

5038.0: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 8:30 AM

Abstract #100160

Ifeolu Joseph Falegan, MD;CertFH;DipCS, Admnistrative Office, ECWA Community Health Program, and Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, ECWA Evangel hospital, ECWA Evangel Hospital Compound, Zaria Byepass, PMB 2238, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, +2348033296006, faleganji@yahoo.com

Nigeria is a large country of about 150 million people with 45% urbanization, life expectancy of 51yrs and infant mortality rate of 71/1000 live births. The dearth of healthcare professionals, political instability, dwindling funds from government and widespread poverty, among others, have made quality healthcare non-existent in many communities. The ECWA (Evangelical Church Of West Africa) Community Health Program (ECHP) with headquarters in Plateau State brings healthcare to the grassroots predominantly through community health workers (CHWs). The program is spread through several states of the federation with more than 110 primary healthcare clinics and maternity centers. Each state has a supervisor; all the supervisors report to the director of the program in a monthly planning and evaluation meeting. The CHW is key. He is highly motivated and innovative. He carries out a needs assessment with the help of community members and plans a program to meet these needs. Such needs and plans are critically examined at the monthly meeting. The ECHP provides seed money as revolving fund. The community provides the infrastructure. Community members form a clinic development committee. Hospital bills are kept at a minimum. There is no support from the government. The program is self-sponsoring. We have seen results. In a community in Bornu state (northern Nigeria), the rate of diarrheal diseases decreased by 62%; hookworm infestation decreased by 86%; and deaths from malaria decreased by 41% after appropriate interventions. A CHW will share our experience, extol the place of the CHW and reveal our aspirations.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this session, the participant will be able to

1.Articulate clearly the role of the CHW in bringing quality healthcare to underpriviledged communities;
2.Discuss the need for policy-makers in developing countries to fully involve CHWs in sustainable healthcare delivery and
3.Develop a healthcare plan for a rural community of 5000 people.

Keywords: Sustainability, Developing Countries

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

CHWs as Integral Members of the Healthcare Team

The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA