Empowering Heroes: Togo’s Quest to Create Ideal Work Environments for Health Workers
Modernizing Togo’s Health System: A Focus on Health Workers
Modernizing the health system is not limited to acquiring equipment or improving infrastructure. Another aspect is fundamental: establishing good working conditions for health workers.
The initiatives strengthen the work framework of these key players in the health system. Among them are continuing education and professional development.
Continuing Education and Professional Development
The Ministry of Health offers a national continuing education program that updates the skills of health professionals in line with medical and technological developments. Regular training courses are organised, covering aspects of medical practice, emergency management and surgical techniques. Thousands of people benefit from this training which strengthens their professional network.
Better Working Conditions for Health Professionals
Nurses, midwives, laboratory technicians and other paramedical personnel play a vital role in the daily functioning of the health system. Their working conditions are improved for better patient care.
This includes refurbishing property, acquiring specialist equipment, and establishing incentive bonuses, particularly for those working in rural and hard-to-reach areas. The government also rewards their dedication and excellence, an effective strategy to encourage them to continue providing high quality care.
Tools to Do the Job Well
As part of the Strengthening the Preparedness of Emergency Response Systems project (REPSRU) and the Quality Essential Health Services for Universal Health Coverage (SSEQCU) project, materials worth 20 billion CFA francs were provided in August 2024 by the President of the Republic Faure Gnassingbé.
They include several modern devices that are very useful in hospital life. As for health workers, to ensure efficient mobility and help them do their work under the best possible conditions, 50 new all-terrain motorbikes are being provided for the benefit of community health workers.
Also, 150 motorbikes are offered to strengthen epidemiological surveillance and the expanded vaccination program in the field. Also included in the devices procured and offered by the governments are a batch of computer equipment, 120 laptops, a batch of 1,885 items of information and communication technology (ICT) equipment for strengthening public health emergency operations centres, 4 110 KVA generator.
Recruitment of Health Professionals
According to UNDP, which states that the human development index in Togo increased from 0.539 in 2021-2022 to 0.547 in 2023-2024, more than 2,500 health professionals were recruited over the period. In 2020, the number of public health workers was already more than 11,000.