The Brazilian experience of training and working with Community Health Workers was the basis for the implementation of the Community Health Workers Program by the Provincial Health Directorate in Luanda, Angola. This article reports on an exploratory visit carried out in 2009 to the municipalities of Cacuaco, Cazenga, Kilamba-Kiaxi, Samba, Sambizanga and Viana, with a view to understanding the health perceptions and practices of community health workers in Angola. This visit aimed to gather information that would engender a discussion on technical cooperation between Brazilian institutions and the coordination of the Program of Community Health Workers to strengthen the professional education of the Program. We have found similarities and differences between the Angolan experience and the Brazilian one, and we believe that the main challenges to be faced in Angola are the institutionalization of the program, the regularization of employment relationships and the professional qualifications of the community health workers.
primary health care; health community worker; health professionals; education; Angola
