Six million women worldwide are giving lifesaving care for free 🚑. Meet community health workers (CHWs) – the unsung heroes filling healthcare gaps in low- and middle-income countries. But without fair pay or recognition, their potential remains untapped.
Why CHWs Matter
From Uganda to India, CHWs deliver 30+ critical services like maternal care and disease prevention. Studies show properly supported CHWs could save 6.9 million lives/year – yet 85% in Africa work unpaid. 💔
The Gender Pay Gap in Scrubs
Why are these skilled roles (mostly held by women of color) treated like volunteer work? Prossy Muyingo, a Ugandan CHW and global health awardee, juggles unpaid shifts with side hustles to survive. \"We do the same work as salaried nurses,\" she says.
Beyond Band-Aid Solutions
COVID-19 proved CHWs keep clinics running during crises 🌪️. But lasting change needs:
📜 Professional accreditation
💵 Living wages
📦 Reliable medical supplies
As global health leaders push for \"health for all,\" compensating CHWs isn’t just fair – it’s the smart play to build pandemic-ready systems. 🌏✨
