Role of Community Health Officer or Middle Level Health Worker in India

In 2019, India introduced a novel healthcare provider role known as the Community Health Officer (CHO), aimed at bolstering the Health and Wellness Centers at the community level. The CHO, also referred to as the Mid-Level Health Provider (MLHP) or non-physician practitioner, is a trained healthcare professional with a defined scope of practice.

In India, eligibility for this position is restricted to Nursing and AYUSH Practitioners. CHO's are equipped with specialized training and authorized to deliver healthcare services in a broader range of scenarios than other healthcare professionals, though their scope remains narrower than that of physicians.

The role of the CHO serves to bridge the gap between healthcare facilities and the population seeking medical care. By functioning as a mid-level healthcare provider, CHO's alleviate the burden on other healthcare professionals and contribute to the overarching goal of achieving universal health coverage. This review aims to provide a fresh perspective on the CHO role within the global context.