A well-trained, motivated, and adequately supported health workforce is essential to delivering high-quality, accessible, and sustainable health services. In the context of health systems strengthening (HSS), investments in both facility-based providers and community health workers (CHWs) are critical to achieving universal health coverage (UHC) and improving health outcomes, particularly in Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) and family planning and reproductive health.

Facility-based providers – including doctors, nurses, and midwives – serve as the backbone of the health system, ensuring the delivery of evidence-based care. Strengthening their capacity through continuous training, supportive supervision, and performance management enhances service quality and client trust. Complementing their work, CHWs bridge the gap between communities and health facilities, providing essential health education, counseling, and referrals. Their close connections with communities help drive demand for services, ensure follow-up care, and address barriers to access.

This section of the HSS toolkit provides practical guidance, tools, and best practices for strengthening the health workforce. It highlights approaches for optimizing workforce performance, integrating CHWs into health systems, and ensuring adequate support for providers at all levels. By investing in the health workforce, local governments and implementing partners can enhance service delivery, improve health outcomes, and sustain high-impact practices at scale.