Key message box 5

Since the mid-2010s, the policy discourse on CHWs has merged with that for PHC more broadly as a key strategy for achieving the global health goals for 2030 of UHC, ending preventable child and maternal deaths, and the SDGs. Moving from a focus on vertical, disease-oriented programming to an integrated PHC approach that has a strong CHW component is occurring, but only slowly, unfortunately. Bringing CHWs into the formal HRH framework for planning, coordination, and partnership formation will require a paradigm shift in enhancing their recognition and status in the health system