UNGA 2025: Salako Advocates Continuous Support For Community Health Workers
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has advocated for continuous support for Community Health Workers (CHWs) saying they are the “lifeline” of Africa’s health systems. Salako stated this at the 2nd Taskforce Meeting of the Community Health Continental Coordination Mechanism (CCM) convened by Africa CDC on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York. He urged African leaders to prioritize their recruitment, training, and full integration into national health structures.
He recalled that in August, Nigeria hosted the validation of the 2024 Community Health Landscape Survey, Shaping the CHW Strategy, Scorecard and Strategic Action, which was endorsed by member states to provide governance, financing, and policy guidance for CHW
“As we recall, the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government in 2017, through Decision Assembly/AU/Dec.649 (XXIX), urged Member States to prioritize the recruitment, training, and integration of Community Health Workers (CHWs). The Assembly also called for the implementation of the ambitious 2 million CHWs initiative, a vision that places communities at the centre of primary healthcare delivery. The launch of the CCM in November 2023, created a continental platform for coordination, accountability, and shared learning. Today, as we convene for the second time under this mechanism, our task is to build on the progress made, review our collective achievements, and accelerate actions that will enable us to realize the full potential of CHWs in achieving Universal Health Coverage, health security, and resilient systems.”
Salako said investing in CHWs was crucial for achieving universal health coverage, health security, and resilient systems across the continent.
“For Nigeria, and indeed the rest of Africa, this initiative is more than a policy; it is a lifeline for millions of families in rural and underserved communities. By investing in CHWs, we are investing in prevention, early detection, maternal and child health, and in stronger systems that can withstand emerging public health threats. CHWs are the bridge to UCH. We should expand training facilities for them in our different countries, professionalize their work, create a path for carrier progression and fully integrate them into our health system.”
He commended the African Union Commission, Africa CDC, UNICEF, and other development partners for their steadfast support. He added that future of community health in Africa depends on the shared resolve, collaboration, and action of member states.
