The Financing Alliance for Health (FAH), through Project BIRCH (Building Integrated Readiness for Community Health), is supporting the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Zambia in a unique community-based volunteer (CBV) verification exercise. Targeting the Southern Province and spanning 15 districts, this exercise is a pioneering step toward strengthening community health.
Our primary goal is to connect with and understand the community health workforce in the southern province, ensuring a personable and inclusive approach. The data we gather will serve as a vital cornerstone for meticulous planning, resource mobilization, advocacy, and improved communication. Through this, we aim to foster social mobilization, highlighting the significant role of community-based volunteers in building resilient health systems and moving toward Universal Health Coverage.
CBVs verifying their details at Nabukowa RHC in Sinazongwe District. Photo Credit Joseph Chiluba-FAH Zambia
Involving communities in national health programming and decision-making has already shown promising results. We see this in the swift implementation of various community health strategies and guidelines by the Ministry of Health and the Financing Alliance for Health. The current community-based volunteer (CBV) verification initiative in the Southern Province is a testament to this collaborative success, with plans to extend it to other regions in the near future.
It’s important to note that this exercise is not merely a verification process; it’s a movement to recognize and appreciate the invaluable role of CBVs in strengthening health systems. Our focus on community engagement is yielding tangible results, and the active participation and recognition of CBVs are contributing to a more robust and resilient healthcare system in Zambia.
The collaborative efforts between the Ministry of Health and the Financing Alliance for Health are bridging gaps and strengthening the foundations of community health in Zambia. The ongoing verification exercise in the southern province serves as a beacon of progress, inspiring partners and communities alike to acknowledge and value the integral role of community-based volunteers in the enhancement of Zambia’s healthcare system.
Article by Wendy Wakhusama