Community Health Workers
Volunteers from the communities we serve become health leaders and advocates
Nursing Heart’s Community Health Worker (CHW) Program is transforming public health in rural Guatemala by equipping local leaders with the knowledge and tools to address critical health needs in their communities.
What started as a pilot initiative has grown into a cornerstone of our mission, ensuring that healthcare is more accessible, sustainable, and community-driven. Our CHWs—dedicated individuals from six partner villages in San Martín Jilotepeque—receive comprehensive training in medical equipment use, health data collection, and patient advocacy.
Bridging Gaps in Healthcare Access
In many of their villages, CHWs provide the only access to essential diagnostic tools like glucometers, oximeters, and blood pressure monitors. Their presence ensures that conditions like diabetes and hypertension—often undiagnosed in underserved areas—are identified and addressed early. They also play a crucial role in mental health outreach, recognizing and responding to crises that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Strengthening the Public Health System
CHWs are not just caregivers; they are active collaborators within Guatemala’s healthcare network. By working directly with local nurses from the Ministry of Health, they help connect patients to vital resources and services, ensuring no one is left behind.
A Vital Link to Nursing Heart’s Clinical Programs
Beyond their daily work in their communities, CHWs are integral to Nursing Heart’s medical initiatives. They recruit patients, assist visiting healthcare professionals, and provide cultural and linguistic support during clinical visits. Their deep understanding of local needs helps shape our programs, making them more effective and culturally responsive.
A Lasting Impact
The CHWs are more than healthcare workers—they are trusted advocates, problem solvers, and change-makers. Their dedication and resilience inspire us, and their work is a testament to the power of community-led healthcare. Together, we are building a healthier future for Guatemala, one village at a time.
Through health education, development and strengthening of partnerships with the community, local governments and non-profit organizations, the program empowers individuals and communities to become the major players in solving and preventing their own health problems and by being a part of the formation and education of future CHWs.
They are trained to assess, refer and manage the major health issues within their communities identified through a community health assessment, and to deliver public health awareness classes.
The overall objective is to lower morbidity through early detection and treatment of illness and diseases.
