Topics: CHW role, Community health workers, HIV/AIDS, Policy

Region and Country: South Africa

This paper summarizes the key features of the emerging national CHW program in South Africa. This includes CHWs' integration into a national public works program and the use of non-governmental organizations as intermediaries. The paper also reports on one province, the Free State investigating CHW numbers and training, specifically with regard to HIV services between 2004 and 2006. The authors conclude that there is a significant CHW presence in the South Africa health system; however, the infrastructure is faced with many managerial challenges including stability, recognition and relationships with professionals that are associated with previous national CHW programs.