Posted: Monday, August 26, 2024. 4:07 pm CST. Press Release The Ministry of Health & Wellness, with support from UNICEF Belize, has taken a significant step to strengthen Belize’s primary health care system.
Today, at the Old Belize Conference Room, officials gathered to launch the Community Health Worker’s (CHW) Manual and Job Aide tool. The updated CHW Manual is the product of extensive collaboration between the Ministry of Health and Wellness and international partners like UNICEF, underscoring their commitment to advancing community health. The ministry extends its gratitude to the various units whose dedication led to the manual’s successful completion.
In today’s evolving health environment, Community Health Workers (CHWs) must be proficient in both technical and communication skills. While the 2013 Competency-based Training Curriculum laid the foundation for CHWs, this revised manual offers a more comprehensive approach, including new topics such as mental and adolescent health. It introduces teaching strategies to enhance skill-building and health promotion services.
Feedback from CHWs played a crucial role in shaping the manual, job aid, and visual resources. Globally, UNICEF acknowledges the vital role of community health programs in delivering critical services to hard-to-reach children and mothers. CHWs are pivotal in improving access to primary health care for underserved populations, contributing significantly to Universal Health Coverage and the Sustain.