Eliminating ghost workers and optimizing resources to strengthen Community Health Worker programs in sub-Saharan Africa.

Ayehu, Temesgen; Joekai, Josiah F; Yorgbor, Mulbah K; Clark, Edleen T; Jacobs, George P; Brooks-Jarrett, Christine E; Wiah, S Olasford; Fatoumata, Sagnon et al. · PLoS Med · 2026

expert_opinion · Level V

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Abstract

Although community health workers (CHWs) play a vital role in filling health workforce gaps, they remain inadequately compensated due to insufficient domestic financing. In this Policy Forum article, Temesgen Ayehu and colleagues discuss how elimination of ghost workers and healthcare reform in Sub-Saharan Africa can release funds to properly pay and integrate CHWs into civil service programs.

Medical subject headings