What happens after a Brigade leaves? Students often ask: How do families access care in-between Brigade visits? Who helps when there’s an urgent medical situation?
That’s where Global Brigades’ Community Health Workers (CHW) program steps in. Since 2009, this initiative has trained and equipped local leaders to serve as frontline health advocates in their own communities, ensuring access to consistent and dignified care long after a Brigade has gone home.
Building Sustainable Health Access
In many of the rural partner communities where Brigades serve, families frequently face hours-long walks to reach a health center, and that is only if one exists. Clinics may operate with just a single nurse covering thousands of people, and access outside daytime hours is rare.
The CHW program addresses these challenges by training selected community members in:
- First aid
- Nutrition & chronic illness management
- Family planning & reproductive health
- Wound care, sanitation, and disease prevention
Graduates receive backpacks with medical supplies, pre-prescribed medication for chronic patients, and even a cell phone to stay connected with Global Brigades doctors. Their training is rooted in the trusted “Where There Is No Doctor” manual and adapted with their country’s Ministry of Health to ensure cultural and medical relevance.
Empowering Local Leaders
CHWs aren’t just filling a gap in care. They're building healthier, more resilient communities by providing follow-up for chronic patients, offering immediate first aid, and sharing preventive health education. They serve as trusted leaders right where families live.
Their work doesn’t stop at graduation. Ongoing mentorship and continuing education keep CHWs connected with Global Brigades medical staff and evolving community needs..
Why This Matters for Students
As a student volunteer, your role in a Medical Brigade is vital. But the CHW program shows the bigger picture. Your Brigade is part of a year-round, community-led model that puts power into local hands. When you join a Brigade, you’re not just treating patients for a week; you’re strengthening a system that lasts for years.
How You Can Help
Students and Chapters have always been part of this story. From fundraising for training supplies like CPR mannequins to raising awareness on campus, your involvement supports the long-term sustainability of healthcare access in partner communities.
As we celebrate 20 years of Global Brigades, the CHW program is one of our clearest examples of what sustainable impact looks like: partnerships, leadership, and dignity in care.
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