PAHO launches a virtual course to support capacity building of Community Health Workers of the Caribbean in Noncommunicable Diseases Prevention and Control

Washington, DC, April 19, 2023 (PAHO)- The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) launched the “Community Health Workers (CHWs) in Noncommunicable Diseases (NCD) Prevention and Control” virtual course on the Caribbean Node of the Virtual Campus for Public Health. 16 participants from 9 countries, representing various cadres of primary health care workers including community health aides, patient care assistants, nurses and primary care physicians, successfully completed the initiative which ran from 9th January to 17th February 2023.

The course is based on a review of the roles and competencies of CHWs in the Caribbean and it is available on the Caribbean Node of the Virtual Campus. Its purpose is to equip CHWs with the requisite knowledge and skills that will permit them to confidently provide NCD care in their communities with a focus on NCD prevention, early identification and support of people living with NCDs. It includes 4 asynchronous modules covering the following topics: cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, and cancer.  Two live sessions were held to integrate learning and clarify any doubts from the participants.

The course is part of the PAHO’s response to address the growing burden of NCDs in the Caribbean region and serves to support activities for strengthening of human resources for health in the Caribbean region.