The Ministry of Health has commenced pretesting health training materials in Maryland, Gbarpolu, and Rivercess counties. The pretesting involves Modules 1, 5, and 6, designed to enhance Community Health Assistants (CHAs) and Community Health Services Supervisors’ (CHSS) knowledge and skills. These modules focus on improving routine household visits, strengthening engagement between communities and health facilities, and ensuring effective urgent and non-urgent referrals. It aims to bridge the gap between local communities and healthcare services by promoting treatment adherence and public health education.

At the training session, the Deputy Director for the Community Health Division, Mrs. Joyce Junius, expressed gratitude to the three counties for facilitating the pretesting process. She emphasized the importance of ensuring that CHAs and CHSS understand the modules and apply them effectively in their work. Mrs. Junius reiterated that community health workers play a critical role in improving public health outcomes, and their training must be comprehensive and practical to meet the needs of the people they serve. Module 1 focuses on the recruitment and engagement process of CHAs within the community. It outlines the selection criteria, responsibilities, and initial training necessary for community health workers to function effectively. This module also emphasizes the importance of CHAs building trust with community members and collaborating with health facilities to provide essential health services. By strengthening the recruitment process, the Ministry of Health aims to ensure that qualified and committed individuals take on these roles.

Module 5 addresses tuberculosis (TB) and the responsibilities of CHAs in combating the disease. It provides training on identifying signs and symptoms of TB, facilitating early diagnosis, and educating communities on preventive measures. Given Liberia’s ongoing efforts to reduce TB prevalence, equipping CHAs with the necessary knowledge and skills is a critical step in controlling the disease at the grassroots level. The module also highlights the importance of referring suspected TB cases to health facilities for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Module 6 enhances CHAs’ capacity to conduct routine household visits, engage with communities, and facilitate referrals between households and health facilities. It focuses on improving communication skills, recognizing urgent health conditions, and ensuring that patients receive appropriate care on time. By strengthening these core functions, the Ministry of Health aims to improve community-based healthcare delivery and enhance the overall well-being of citizens in the targeted counties. The exercise is sponsored by Plan International.