Research, Policy and Practice
Table 2 Important considerations of COHTs and COVID-19 public health activities with suggested solutions
From: COVID-19 in pastoral contexts in the greater Horn of Africa: Implications and recommendations
Consideration | Solution |
|---|---|
Insufficient number of trained and supervised CHWs in remote pastoral areas. | Nomination of community members to be trained by health authorities to report into COVID-19 surveillance systems |
Level of training may not consider a highly transmissible disease with heightened mortality rates. | Provide specialized COVID-19 training, including case definitions and public health measures (e.g. physical distancing, personal protective equipment uses) to prevent transmission |
Personal health risks COHTs may face given their level of training. | |
Circulation of COHTs may contribute to the spread of COVID-19. | |
The decision to involve CHWs and CAHWs/CDRs in the COVID-19 response is a combined national/local policy decision. | Form One Health coordination structures (e.g. One Health Task Force, One Health county/subcounty committee) based on existing government organization with national/local authority to implement COVID-19 activities |