Government to Absorb 22,000 Health Workers by Year-End as Donor Support Wanes

The Government of Zimbabwe will formally integrate 22,000 Community Health Workers (CHWs) into the civil service by the end of 2025, Health and Child Care Minister Dr. Douglas Mombeshora announced on Tuesday.

The move comes in response to declining donor support and aims to reinforce the country’s primary health care system, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

Addressing stakeholders at the inaugural Multi-Stakeholder Community Health Forum in Mazowe, Dr. Mombeshora confirmed that 22,009 CHWs have already been recruited under the Zimbabwe Health Sector Investment Compact (2024–2026).

“We set a target of having 40,000 institutionalized CHWs by 2030, aligned with the Zimbabwe Health Sector Investment Compact 2024–2026,” he said.

The event was supported by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and other partners.

The minister emphasized that the Government’s goal is to deploy two Village Health Workers (VHWs) per village to ensure equitable access to basic health services.

“Today marks a milestone in Zimbabwe’s journey to strengthen its community health system.

“We convene at a pivotal moment when both our nation and the world recognize that healthy communities form the foundation of a resilient health system,” he said.

According to Health Times, Zimbabwe’s community health strategy dates back to 1980, when the country shifted from a curative, urban-based model to a Primary Health Care (PHC) approach focused on prevention and health promotion.

In 1981, the Government launched the National VHW Program with a target of training 15,000 village-based health workers.

The program has since expanded to 22,000 workers, now supported by a new Community Health Service Package tailored to evolving public health needs.

Africa CDC’s Senior Technical Officer for Community Health Advocacy and Sustainability, Dr. Barnabas Kwame Veboah, commended Zimbabwe’s efforts and emphasized the broader significance of CHWs across the continent.

“Community Health Workers are the backbone of primary health care and the frontline defenders of our people’s health.

“They are not only trusted messengers but also the first responders during crises, the link between households and health facilities, and the champions of prevention, health promotion, and community trust,” he said.

Despite their vital role, CHWs across Africa earn an average of just US$50 per month. Africa CDC’s Community Health Landscape Survey revealed that over 1 million CHWs are currently active—representing 69% of national targets.

However, median coverage remains at one CHW per 1,302 people.

The agency aims to deploy 2 million CHWs by 2030 but faces a US$3.65 billion financing gap.

Dr. Veboah warned that fragmented programs, inconsistent training, and lack of sustainable financing continue to limit the full potential of CHWs.

“When empowered, well-trained, and adequately supported, CHWs save lives, improve equity, and strengthen the resilience of our health systems,” he said.

Tuso Tanda, from the Country Coordinating Mechanism for the Global Fund, urged the Government to gradually take over financial support for CHWs.

“Community systems strengthening remains one of the key pillars of Global Fund support.

“Currently, the Global Fund supports payment of monthly allowances for 22,000 VHWs, including their uniforms,” he said.

Tanda stressed the importance of a smooth transition to domestic funding.

“As we focus on transition, the Government is expected to gradually take over support of the VHWs as part of the Compact commitment.

“We are grateful for the longstanding partnership with the Government of Zimbabwe. It is important that we leverage the available resources to ensure that critical activities are safeguarded and that the gains made do not retrogress,”he said.

With integration already underway, officials say the move will stabilize community health delivery and strengthen Zimbabwe’s path toward universal health coverage.

Stakeholders view it as a model for regional health reform.