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

Temesgen Ayehu; Josiah F. Joekai.; Mulbah K. Yorgbor; Edleen T. Clark; George P. Jacobs; Christine E. Brooks-Jarrett; S. Olasford Wiah; Sagnon Fatoumata; Moussa Dialo; Loue Dékwinzou Frederic; Brima Osaio Kamara; Christine E. E. Williams; Mohamed S. T. Kamara; Matthew Beckhio; Adamou A. Marcelin; Noella Claire Mbrenga; Bawene Edouard; Sebakunzi Theirry; Hezagira Emery; Theophile Dushime; Hudad Barry; Haileyesus Getahun

doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1004929

Key Points

This article aims to address the financial challenges faced by community health workers in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Analyzing the impact of ghost workers on healthcare funding
Discussing strategies for healthcare reform
Evaluating the integration of community health workers into civil service programs
Elimination of ghost workers could free up funds for proper compensation of community health workers
Healthcare reform is essential for sustainable financing
Integrating community health workers into civil service can improve their job stability and effectiveness

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Implication

Policy Forum discusses improving compensation for community health workers by eliminating ghost workers in Sub-Saharan Africa, suggesting a reform pathway.

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.

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Ayehu et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6997f984ad1d9b11b34523d3 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1004929

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

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

Key Points

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