The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has announced a combined commitment of nearly US$15 million from the Johnson & Johnson Foundation, the Skoll Foundation, and Comic Relief UK to strengthen community health systems across Africa. This funding, part of the Global Fund’s Eighth Replenishment, is further amplified by matching contributions from the Gates Foundation, unlocking a total of US$14.9 million to sustain and expand the work of community health workers. The investments aim to ensure long-term resilience and capacity in community health systems, building on the achievements of the Africa Frontline First Catalytic Fund.
Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund, emphasized that investing in community health is one of the most effective and equitable ways to save lives, strengthen health systems, and build resilience. The funding provides a foundation for other partners to join, creating a lasting impact that protects public health for generations. The Africa Frontline First Catalytic Fund has already mobilized US$219 million across 22 countries, supporting 68,000 community health workers with training, supervision, supplies, and regular pay, enabling them to serve over 40 million people.
In 2024 alone, community health workers supported by the fund tested 12.8 million people for malaria and treated 7.7 million confirmed cases, preventing countless child deaths and delivering vital care to remote communities. In Zambia, the Africa Frontline First initiative has helped train over 2,000 Community Health Assistants and strengthened digital and payment systems to enhance their performance. Samir Patel, CEO of Comic Relief, highlighted that the £3 million pledge, matched by the Gates Foundation, will support predominantly female community health workers who ensure dignity and care reach underserved populations across Africa.
Leaders including H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Former President of Liberia, stressed the urgent need to protect progress in community health and invest in sustainable, nationally led systems. Howard Reid of the Johnson & Johnson Foundation and Marla Blow of the Skoll Foundation underscored that community health workers form the backbone of primary care in Africa and that funding their sustainability is an investment in equity, resilience, and local leadership. Nan Chen, CEO of Africa Frontline First, emphasized that the new funding will provide sustainable support, enabling governments to maintain and expand the systems they have built while improving efficiency and performance over the long term.
Community health workers themselves highlighted the importance of these investments for career development and lifelong service. Margaret Odera, a health worker in Kenya, noted that the next phase of funding moves closer to recognizing, supporting, and paying community health workers consistently, ensuring they can continue to serve their communities effectively for life. The initiative represents a coordinated effort among governments, foundations, and communities to strengthen health systems and deliver lifesaving care across Africa.
