By: Pascal Onega & Birungi Joyline
Buliisa
Buliisa District has this afternoon flagged off over 78 Community Health Extension Workers, CHEWs, drawn from various parishes across the district.
The CHEWs who trained for over six months, were trained in Primary Health Care to support Village Health Teams (VHTs) and strengthen health service delivery at the grassroots level a government program introduced by the government of uganda through Ministry of Health.
The function, held at Buliisa District Headquarters, was graced by the Director General of Health Services at the Ministry of Health, Dr Charles Olaro.
Dr Olaro noted that the Ministry of Health is no longer focused on treating diseases alone but is prioritizing disease prevention. He revealed that Uganda now has 14 immunisable diseases, up from the original six killer diseases, with malaria being the latest addition.
He urged the CHEWs to work hand in hand with VHTs and not view them as competitors, adding that plans are underway to conduct refresher training for VHTs.
Cue in: Dr Charles Olaro on CHEWs in Eng
The trained CHEWs were provided with bicycles for transport, first aid kits, and medical testing equipment to support their work.
Buliisa District Vice Chairperson, Vincent Mukonyenzi, cautioned the CHEWs against selling the equipment, urging them to use it strictly for community service.
Cue in: Mukonyenzi on CHEWs – English in Eng
One of the beneficiaries, Chance Abitegeka, a CHEW from Kagera Parish in Angalyero Village, expressed gratitude to the government and pledged to work closely with fellow health workers to improve community health outcomes.
Cue in: Abitegeka applauds – Lug.
