A nurse.;PHOTO; Courtesy
African community health systems are set to receive a major boost following new funding commitments from the Johnson & Johnson Foundation, the Skoll Foundation and Comic Relief UK, aimed at strengthening frontline health care across the continent.
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria announced that Comic Relief UK has pledged £3 million to support community health systems in Africa.
The commitment builds on earlier pledges of US$5 million from the Johnson & Johnson Foundation and US$6 million from the Skoll Foundation.
Together, these contributions have unlocked an additional US$14.9 million in matching funds from the Gates Foundation as part of the Global Fund’s Eighth Replenishment.
The funding will be used to sustain and expand the work of community health workers across Africa, building on the Africa Frontline First Catalytic Fund.
The focus is on long-term financing and system strengthening, ensuring that community health services remain stable and effective even as countries face future health threats.
Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund, said community health investment delivers strong results while promoting fairness in access to care.
“Investing in community health is one of the most effective and equitable ways to save lives, build resilience and strengthen health systems from the ground up,” Sands said.
The Africa Frontline First Catalytic Fund has already shown what coordinated investment can achieve.
To date, it has unlocked US$219 million to support community health systems in 22 African countries.
The fund directly supports 68,000 community health workers with training, supplies, supervision and regular pay, enabling them to serve more than 40 million people.
In 2024 alone, community health workers supported through the fund tested 12.8 million people for suspected malaria and treated 7.7 million confirmed cases.
These efforts helped prevent many deaths among children under five, particularly in remote and underserved communities.
African governments have played a central role in shaping and leading these efforts. Zambia’s Minister of Health, Hon. Elijah J. Muchima, said the fund has helped the country build a stronger and more future-ready system.
“In Zambia, we are building the community health system of the future – one that serves our growing population and offers real career pathways,” Muchima said.
“The Africa Frontline First Catalytic Fund has been instrumental in advancing our vision, from training more than 2,000 Community Health Assistants to strengthening the digital and payment systems that enable them to perform at their best. The Africa Frontline First platform demonstrates what visionary partnership can achieve.”
Comic Relief UK said its contribution reflects confidence in Africa-led, country-driven health solutions.
Samir Patel, Chief Executive Officer of Comic Relief, highlighted the role of community health workers, many of whom are women.
“At a time of intense pressure on global health, the Global Fund’s country-led approach gives real reason for hope,” Patel said.
“We’re proud to pledge £3 million over the next three years, which is being generously matched one-to-one by the Gates Foundation, to support predominantly female community health workers across Africa who make sure that dignity and care reach those too often left behind.”
The call for sustained investment was echoed by African leaders. Former Liberian President H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf warned that progress could be lost without urgent action.
“The crisis before us today looks very different from those we’ve faced before,” Sirleaf said.
“We must act decisively to protect our progress on community health and put these systems on a path to sovereignty.”
She urged other donors to step forward, noting that community health workers need certainty, not delays.
Foundations involved in the funding stressed that community health workers are central to strong health systems.
Howard Reid, Chairman of the Johnson & Johnson Foundation, said their close ties to communities make their impact lasting.
“They are part of the social fabric of their communities,” Reid said.
“The Africa Frontline First Catalytic Fund gives us the ability to champion their work at a large scale.”
Marla Blow, CEO of the Skoll Foundation, described community health as a smart and lasting investment.
“By investing in their sustainability, we are investing in equity, resilience, and local leadership,” she said.
For community health workers themselves, the funding represents more than short-term support. Margaret Odera, a community health worker in Kenya, said stability and recognition matter.
“Community health workers don’t want a job for a month; they want a career,” she said.
“The next fund brings us closer to the day when community health workers everywhere are recognized, paid, and supported to serve their communities for life.”
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