Government to formally employ 22,000 village health workers

In a bid to bolster healthcare delivery across rural communities, the Ministry of Health and Child Care is set to formally employ and integrate 22,000 village health workers into the civil service. The initiative, announced by Deputy Minister Sleiman Kwidini, is part of a broader strategy to double the country's health workforce and enhance universal health coverage by 2030.

Speaking at the launch of the Neglected Tropical Diseases Master Plan in Bulawayo, Deputy Minister Kwidini emphasized the crucial role village health workers play in the national healthcare system.

"Our village health workers are key players in the ministry as they live and work within communities, particularly at the village level. Their proximity to the population makes them indispensable in identifying health issues early and relaying critical information to skilled health personnel," he said.

Under the new arrangement, the workers will be added to the ministry's payroll through the Salary Services Bureau (SSB), ensuring they receive monthly salaries as full civil servants.

"This formal integration will not only motivate them but also ensure they are better equipped to execute their duties. They are often the first to identify illnesses in communities, collect vital health statistics, and act as a bridge between rural populations and healthcare facilities," Kwidini explained.

The program, which is set to run from 2024 to 2027, will involve extensive upskilling and training for the health workers. The ministry has partnered with development organizations to provide targeted training to enhance their knowledge and efficiency.

"The upskilling of village health workers is already underway. Training programs focus on equipping them with the tools and knowledge needed to address community health issues more effectively. This will also help dispel myths about certain diseases that are often misconceived as witchcraft in rural areas," Kwidini added.

Village health workers were pivotal during the COVID-19 pandemic, engaging communities in preventive measures, identifying cases, and helping contain the outbreak. Their integration into the civil service is expected to further strengthen Zimbabwe's healthcare delivery system, particularly in underserved rural areas.

The World Health Organization has highlighted that access to community health services can prevent millions of deaths annually while reducing healthcare costs for individuals. The government's move to formalize village health workers underscores their importance in achieving universal health coverage and addressing the health needs of the nation's rural population.

By 2030, the Ministry of Health aims to have an expanded and empowered workforce capable of meeting the challenges of Zimbabwe's evolving healthcare landscape.