A national skills audit of community health workers and outreach team leaders employed by the National Department of Health, 2023

Abstract

The National skills audit of Community Health Workers (CHWs) and Outreach Team Leaders (OTLs) employed by the National Department of Health (NDoH), 2023, project was undertaken by a team of multi-disciplinary researchers at the behest of the NDoH through the Health Systems Trust (HST). This is the first national skills and training audit amongst CHWs and OTLs to be undertaken by the NDoH in the country since 2011 when the Department launched the model for re-engineering Primary Health Care (PHC). This report highlights the distribution of OTLs and CHWs across the country, and their training and skills. The report also examines the views of key provincial managers to determine how CHW and OTL training needs can be met when policies and programmes are reviewed.