In the culmination of three days of dialogue, learning and shared experiences, we’ll reflect on the key themes that emerged across the 4th International CHW Symposium. The closing plenary aimed to engage in a collective call to action, exploring how we can turn insights into a shared path forward.

Emerging from this vibrant exchange was the Bangkok Call to Action, a powerful statement urging global leaders to renew and reinforce their commitment to CHWs. It calls for urgent, coordinated action to:

• Prioritize, professionalize, and integrate CHWs into national health policies and systems.
• Reinforce the power of CHWs to steward the health system, foster inclusion, and build trust in contexts of conflict, crisis, and exclusion.
• Secure and align financing to sustain high-quality community health programs.
• Leverage technology and innovation that empowers CHWs, promotes equity, and drives evidence-based decision-making.

Lastly, this session also invited reflection on the moment we face and inspire ideas for moving forward together to strengthen health systems with community health workers.

Alliance Building: Making Systems Change for CHWs A Reality

13th November, 08:00AM to 09:30AM EST 

Speakers:

• Kingsley Chikaphupha is a seasoned Malawian researcher with over 18 years in public health and health policy and systems research, currently the Executive Director of REACH Trust. His expertise includes qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research, implementation science, and he has managed significant multidisciplinary projects and consultancies in Malawi and South Sudan. His research interests involve human resources for health, health equity, sexual and reproductive health, health systems strengthening, health-seeking behavior, supply chain management, TB/HIV, malaria, non-communicable diseases, mental health, climate and health. He is a former co-chair of the Health Systems Global working group on community health workers and holds a Master’s in International Public Health from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK.
• Mary T. Bassett, MD, MPH, is director of the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard and a leading advocate for health equity with over 30 years of experience. She previously served as New York State Health Commissioner and NYC Health Commissioner, prioritizing racial justice and leading major outbreak responses. Her career spans global AIDS work in Zimbabwe, philanthropy, and academia. A member of the National Academy of Medicine, she is widely recognized for advancing social justice in public health.
• Benard Aketcho Otieno is a community health worker from Kenya
• Ramatulai Yorpi Jalloh is a dedicated midwife in Sierra Leone who champions women’s health. 
• Bilquees Alam is a Lady Health Worker from Pakistan
• Dr. Lennie Kyomuhangi Bazira is a global health executive with expertise in data-driven program leadership, health systems strengthening, and multi-country coordination across the US and Sub-Saharan Africa. A former Interim CEO of Amref Health Africa and Lead for the Mastercard Foundation’s CHW program, she has worked with major donors and governments. Trained in dental surgery, HR, and health economics, she focuses on marginalized communities. 
  
  
  

This session was moderated by Dr. Lennie Kyomuhangi Bazira