Health extension officer

Health extension officers or health extension workers (HEWs), are a category of health care providers found in some countries including Papua New Guinea and Ethiopia. They usually work in health centres in rural and medically underserved areas, where they see and treat patients and provide a range of community health services.

In Papua New Guinea, Health Extension Officers are trained with a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Rural Health, which focuses upon preparation for practice in rural areas. The four-year training program includes theoretical study in medicine (including human biology, infectious diseases, pediatrics, surgery, etc.), as well as extended placements in hospitals and health centres for practical application of learning. Health Extension Officers are responsible for patient care, the administration of the local health centre, and the coordination of community health services.

In Ethiopia, against a backdrop of acute physician shortage, Health Extension Workers are assigned to local health posts and provide a package of essential interventions to meet population health needs at this level. Through the national Health Extension Program, HEWs are recruited among high school graduates in local communities, and undergo a one-year training program to deliver a package of preventive and basic curative services that fall under four main components: hygiene and environmental sanitation; family health services; disease prevention and control; and health education and communication.

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