The Heart of Health
Community health workers gather together to share their work. They are responsible for expanding access to health across communities. During World Health Worker Week and beyond, we celebrate their invaluable contributions to global health. (Luis Tato for CMMB)
There is no doubt that our mission at CMMB would not be possible without health workers. At the heart of health and our mission, health workers deserve our support every day. But this week, CMMB was proud to join members of the Frontline Health Workers Coalition and so many others to recognize what it takes to be a health worker—and their invaluable role in protecting healthier lives worldwide.
We spent the past week advocating for health workers and uplifting their voices. Today, we celebrate our 2025 Health Champions. These are just a few of the many health workers we have the privilege of partnering with.
Meet our 2025 Health Worker Champions
Doctor Mukoka Freddy
Mwandi Mission Hospital, Zambia
I became a health worker because I wanted to be part of a noble profession that strives to make a positive impact on the world by preserving lives and easing human suffering.
My hope for health workers around the world is that their working environments will be transformed through improved staffing levels, sustainable workloads, and access to essential resources.
I urge the global community to invest in health workers because it can help bridge the health equity gap and foster global health security.
Why Do Colleagues Say Dr. Freddy Represents the Heart of Health?
I’ve read and shared so many stories about the lives being saved thanks to the health workers at the Mwandi Mission Hospital. The team has always inspired me, but meeting them in person was transformative. Dr. Freddy’s demeanor is kind, and his dedication is intense. He represents the heart of health because even after spending only a day with him, it’s clear that he will never tire of caring for his patients and advocating for the healthcare they deserve. – Emma Cashman
Nurse Bonface Sene Charles Kpiosa
St. Theresa Mission Hospital, South Sudan
I became a health worker because my country, South Sudan, is in great need of qualified health practitioners who can help the community from dying because of manageable conditions.
My hope for all the health workers around the globe is that we can put even more into serving the people who need us.
I urge the global community to invest in health workers because, with a good healthcare system, the lives of the people are good.
Why Do Colleagues Say Nurse Bonface Represents the Heart of Health?
Bonface Sene Charles embodies the theme of the heart of health because he understands that a healthy community is the heart of a thriving community. It hurts him to so often witness the loss of innocent children from preventable diseases, and he is determined to do what it takes to give them a better chance at a good life. He believes that the role of a health worker is the heart of a community that is recovering from war and economic devastation.
As the in-charge nurse of the medical and pediatric wards at St. Theresa Mission Hospital in Nzara, South Sudan, he leads by example. He works all day, often without a break, and comes in nights and weekends for emergencies or to help out his overwhelmed staff. Serving those who are sick and vulnerable takes priority, and he does it with passion and pride. This comes with an open mind to improve his knowledge and skills.
He truly values the willingness of others to help and the resources that are available because he wants better. Bonface wants to be heard and seen so that he can be better, do better, and make humanity better. He is an exemplary nurse and is truly the heart of health. – Dr. Mahvash Madni
Laboratory Technician Mbali Vaston Joab
St. Theresa Mission Hospital, South Sudan
I became a health worker because I wanted to serve the lives of my people in the community. No one will come from outside and serve your lives; we serve ourselves.
My hope for health workers is to let us work as a team to achieve the goal regardless of our geographical differences. We serve lives because we are the heart of health.
I urge the global community to invest in health workers because a strong health system starts with strong health workers. When you invest in us, you are investing in better healthcare.
Why Do Colleagues Say Vaston Represents the Heart of Health?
Vaston’s passion for education and sharing knowledge throughout South Sudan is a clear testament to his understanding of what lies at the heart of health. As a lab technician at St. Theresa Mission Hospital, he sees value in visualizing the root cause of disease, which allows better prevention of disease by understanding how it starts. He feels that using this knowledge and sharing it with others is the best way to keep families healthy. But it’s not just his own family and community he thinks about.
Vaston moved from Central Equatoria to Western Equatoria state, away from everything he knew, to interact with a new community that needed his help. Unless knowledge is shared, and he can impact as many people as possible, he doesn’t feel like his work is done. This core belief is why he is earning his degree in public health. His hope is that preventable diseases like malaria, which devastates the lives of millions of families a year, can come to an end. It is because of health workers like Vaston, who believe that knowledge is the key to the world, that a healthier world can be possible. – Dr. Mahvash Madni
Nurse Irene Stella Mbithi
Little Angels NICU, Kitui County Referral Hospital, Kenya
My path to healthcare was motivated by a great passion for healing the sick and the poor. I always knew, from a young age, that I needed to be in a profession that touches lives. It is a privilege and a huge responsibility to be able to provide hope to families in their most trying times in life.
My wish for health professionals worldwide is that they continue to practice compassionately, conscientiously, and scientifically. Healthcare is more than the cure of disease; it is every patient encounter with respect, dignity, and evidence-based practice.
I appeal to the world to invest in the health workforce because health is wealth. Good quality healthcare is dependent on long-term leadership and long-term investment in human resources. There is a need for guaranteeing all health workers are well-paid, safeguarded, retained, and enabled for professional development. Without competent and well-supported healthcare professionals, universal health coverage, disease prevention, and global development targets will be an uphill battle.
Why Do Colleagues Say Nurse Irene Represents the Heart of Health?
From the moment I met Irene at Kitui County Referral Hospital, I felt an instant connection. As I introduced myself, her face lit up with a smile, and she told me she had a cousin with a similar name. Without hesitation, we decided that meant we must be family, too. And just like that, we were bonded.
Irene pours her heart into her work every single day. Her warmth is a comfort, her expertise a lifeline. In the fragile first moments of a newborn’s life, she is there—steadfast, compassionate, and determined—giving tiny, precious lives a fighting chance. – Alena Mazotas
Doctor James
Haiti
I became a health worker because I want to improve the lives of patients by providing care and support. I want to play a key role in disease prevention by educating the population on good health practices. I hope that my work will help strengthen the health of my community, creating a safer and healthier environment for all.
My hope for healthcare workers around the world is that they are recognized and valued for their work and dedication and that they have access to training and development opportunities to stay at the forefront of medical advances. My hope is that their work environments are safe, supportive, and well-equipped to enable them to perform at their best. And finally, I hope that they receive the necessary support to manage the stress and emotional challenges of the profession.
I urge the international community to invest in the health workforce because their role is crucial to global health, and they have a critical role in strengthening health systems. They are on the front lines of responding to various health crises. Investing in the health workforce will ensure access to quality healthcare for all, including those in remote and vulnerable areas. This investment will also allow us to participate in research and innovation, thus contributing to the advancement of medical knowledge and good care practices.
Why Do Colleagues Say Dr. James Represents the Heart of Health?
Dr. James perfectly embodies the theme, the Heart of Health, because he knows how to stay close to his patients by providing quality care, listening, and reassurance. He is always looking for new knowledge and skills to make the right diagnoses and treat and prevent diseases in the population. His commitment and dedication to his various tasks are a testament to his exceptional work ethic, empathy, and community involvement. He is flexible and resilient and is on the front lines to advocate for the well-being of his patients in various emergency situations. – Staff from Dr. James’s hospital in Haiti
Nurse Guerline
Haiti
I became a healthcare worker because I want to improve people’s lives by providing them with appropriate care. I hope my work will help strengthen the health of the people in my community.
My hope for healthcare workers around the world is that they are protected and valued and that their work environments are safe, supportive, and well-equipped to allow them to perform at their best.
We must invest in healthcare workers because their role is crucial to global health
Why Do Colleagues Say Nurse Guerline Represents the Heart of Health?
Miss Guerlien perfectly embodies the theme, the Heart of Health, because she has been providing quality care to her patients for eight years. She ensures the strict application of care standards at the hospital. Her commitment and dedication are a testament to her professionalism and her love for the community. – Staff from Guerline’s hospital in Haiti
Protect, Invest, Strengthen: Our Work Continues
As World Health Worker Week 2025 comes to its close, we are left with a sense of urgency that has perhaps never been more important than it is today.
Here is what we know:
- We face a global shortage of 11 million health workers.
- The changing landscape of foreign aid will add to this growing shortage
- Health workers are the heart of global health. They build resilient health systems, uplift entire communities, and help drive economies.
What we do not know is what a world without health workers would mean—and we can’t afford to find out. That’s why we spent this last week advocating to protect, invest, strengthen, and value the world’s health workers. And we reaffirm our commitment to continue doing so.