The Healthtech Podcast #428 How to fix Global Health without a quantum computer: Madeleine Ballard from CHIC
Jan 7, 2026
Madeleine Ballard, CEO of the Community Health Impact Coalition (CHIC), is a global health advocate dedicated to professionalizing community health workers. She recounts her journey from HIV activism to founding CHIC, highlighting how community networks improved HIV outcomes in Liberia. Madeleine discusses the need for political organizing to advance CHW policy, financing challenges, and the importance of integrating CHWs into national health systems. She emphasizes the role of trust in healthcare and warns against the risks of neglecting human connection in an increasingly tech-driven world.
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From HIV Activism To Community Care
- Madeleine described joining HIV activists in Liberia who used community networks to deliver antiretroviral drugs when there were only ~30 physicians nationwide.
- That grassroots approach tripled the 'alive and in care' rates in rural areas compared with the capital, showing community care's power.
Trials Succeed When Basics Exist
- Madeleine found trials showed dramatic effects but national programs failed because of missing basics like pay, supply and supervision.
- The secret sauce was operational: train, supervise, pay and reliably supply community health workers.
Provide A Playbook For Ministries
- Publish clear guidelines so ministries have a playbook to implement national community health programs.
- Use WHO-style normative guidance to provide the cover and steps ministries need to adopt professional community health workers.
