Within the context of human resources for health (HRH) shortages, there has been growing interest in task shifting and the role that community health workers can play in extending health services.

In Mozambique, community health programs started in the 1970s with the Agentes Polivalentes Elementars (APEs), who were trained by the Ministry of Health and supported by the community through a fee-for-service scheme. The program was interrupted in the 1980s, and the Ministry of Health is considering revitalizing it. Between December 2008 and May 2009, the Capacity Project developed an operational plan presenting possible scenarios and a recommendation for the best scenario for restarting, consolidating and maintaining the program. The plan draws from field assessments, interviews, documents and a literature review with identification of best practices relevant to the context of Mozambique.

The Project also developed an APE training curriculum and profile including entry criteria and expected tasks. APEs will serve the community through health promotion and prevention activities, provide a restricted range of curative services and act as a liaison between the community and staff of health facilities.

May 2009