September 2024 — In a significant stride towards improving healthcare accessibility and quality, the Ministry of Health in Tanzania has launched a comprehensive training curriculum for Community Health Workers (CHWs). This initiative, developed in collaboration with various stakeholders, aims to standardize and enhance the training of CHWs, ensuring they are well-equipped to meet the diverse health, social welfare, and nutritional needs of communities across the country.

Background: Since the 1960s, Tanzania has been committed to improving access to quality health services. Despite numerous efforts, challenges such as lack of standardization in training and sustainability of community health services have persisted. Recognizing these issues, the Ministry of Health has introduced a new curriculum designed to produce competent CHWs capable of delivering integrated health services at the community level.

Curriculum Overview: The new curriculum is a six-month program divided into ten modules, covering essential areas for CHWs:

1. Basics of Community Health Work: Introduction to community-based health services and healthcare systems.

2. Fundamentals of Communication: Effective communication skills, including sign language and the use of educational materials.

3. Health Promotion: Strategies for health promotion and social behavior change communication.

4. Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health: Comprehensive care for reproductive and maternal health, antenatal and postnatal services, immunization, and family planning.

5. Management and Prevention of Communicable Diseases: Prevention and management of diseases like malaria, diarrhoea, pneumonia, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis.

6. Management and Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases: Addressing non-communicable diseases, mental health, and providing first aid.

7. Prevention and Control of Malnutrition: Nutrition assessment and interventions to combat malnutrition.

8. Social Welfare Practice: Promoting social welfare services, gender equity, child protection, and early childhood development.

9. Emerging and Re-Emerging Diseases: Awareness and management of emerging public health concerns and climate change impacts.

10. Environmental Health and Sanitation: Ensuring water safety, sanitation, personal hygiene, waste management, and food safety.

Key Features:

• Competence-Based Learning: Emphasizes practical skills and real-world application, ensuring CHWs are prepared to handle various health scenarios in their communities.

• Community-Centric Approach: CHWs are trained to work closely with community members, understanding their unique needs and providing tailored health solutions.

• Sustainability: By integrating CHWs into the formal health system and providing them with standardized training, the program aims to create a sustainable model for community health services.

Support and Collaboration: This curriculum is a key component of the Community Health Development roadmap, spearheaded by the Government of Tanzania with support from UNICEF’s health and SBC teams, among other partners. This milestone reflects our collective commitment to enhancing community health education and practices.

Impact: The introduction of this curriculum is expected to have a profound impact on community health in Tanzania. By training 153,875 CHWs over the next three years, the program aims to bridge the gap in healthcare services, particularly in remote and underserved areas. This initiative will not only improve health outcomes but also empower communities to take charge of their health and well-being.

Tanzania’s new CHW training curriculum represents a significant step towards achieving Universal Health Coverage and addressing the critical shortage of healthcare workers. With a focus on competence, community engagement, and sustainability, this program is set to transform the landscape of community health services in the country.

Stay tuned for more updates on the implementation and impact of this groundbreaking initiative. Get more detailed information here.