Community health workers (CHW) occupy a strategic place in the Brazilian National Health System (SUS). This article aims to analyze disputes regarding the work of CHW in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as similar voluntary experiences, reflecting on the future of the profession. It is a qualitative research of an analytical character whose data are documents and public positions of several subjects. Union representations evoke the need for training and working from home. Managers directed the work inside the services, for surveillance actions and did not offer support to community work and health education. Experiences of volunteer agents point to the importance of more CHWs in the SUS as well as to values of solidarity. A synthesis of practices, legitimacy and education is presented, indicating advances and challenges of professionalization.
Keywords
Community health workers; Coronavirus pandemic; Primary health care; Professionalization