The Foundation for Professional Development (FPD), in collaboration with I-TECH and funded through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), implemented a large-scale skills development initiative for Community Health Workers (CHWs) and Outreach Team Leaders (OTLs).
The project focused on strengthening the knowledge and practical skills required by community-based healthcare workers to manage common health conditions while conducting household visits and supporting communities.
The initiative supported the Department of Health in strengthening implementation of the Community Healthcare Programme, an important building block of primary healthcare.
The training initiative was implemented in several priority districts across two provinces in South Africa. The project commenced in October 2018 and ran over a 12-month period.
Community Health Workers and Outreach Team Leaders were included in the training initiative across selected priority districts.
The project extended its skills development support to selected priority districts in the Free State.
The curriculum covered key areas of the primary healthcare package, equipping Community Health Workers with relevant and accessible knowledge to support their work in communities.
Training covered the basics of HIV prevention and treatment, supporting community-level health education and care.
Understanding Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) as part of the primary healthcare package.
Building knowledge of tuberculosis and its place within community-based healthcare.
Understanding the importance of adherence to treatment and ongoing support for patients.
Training included antenatal care and pregnancy as important components of community health support.
Understanding the essentials of child health and the role of community healthcare workers in supporting families.
Building knowledge of hypertension as one of the common health conditions addressed in the training curriculum.
Understanding diabetes and its inclusion in the primary healthcare package.
The project used a cascade training model. Department of Health Master Trainers were trained and supported by project-funded FPD Master Trainers and mentors throughout the project period.
Department of Health Master Trainers received training and support to strengthen their ability to deliver the programme.
FPD Master Trainers and mentors provided support to the Department of Health trainers during the project.
The cascade approach supported the delivery of training to Community Health Workers and Outreach Team Leaders.
FPD and I-TECH were responsible for quality assurance throughout the initiative. Assessments and evaluations helped determine whether the integrated learning approach was being implemented effectively.
Assessments conducted during the learning process to support monitoring of implementation.
Assessments used to evaluate learning at the end of the training process.
Evaluations to assess whether the integrated learning approach was effectively implemented.
All trained Community Health Workers were required to complete a skills assessment.
By developing the knowledge and skills of Community Health Workers and supporting Department of Health Master Trainers, the project contributed to strengthening the Community Healthcare Programme as an essential building block of primary healthcare.
The CHW Project reflects FPD's commitment to strengthening healthcare systems through practical skills development, quality learning and collaboration with the Department of Health and its partners.