MINISTRY OF HEALTH COMMISSIONS 332 COMMUNITY HEALTH EXTENSION WORKERS (CHEWs)

 The Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary, Dr. Diana Atwiine, has today commissioned 332 Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs), at a ceremony held at the Kyenjojo District Headquarters, in Kasiina.

In attendance were many dignitaries, among which include the LC 5 Chairperson, Mr. Gilbert Rubaihayo, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Mr. Masereka Amis Asuman, The Resident District Commissioner, Ms. Julian Sarah Ayesiga, among others.

Kyenjojo is one of the few selected districts picked out to implement this program, which aims at increasing and improve access to health care especially for the poor and those in remote areas. The program is Envisaged to contribute to Health Sector Development Plan of improving access to Universal Health Coverage (UHC), to strengthen the community Health System as part of the larger national system to ensure equitable distribution of community and house hold centered health care services and bring services closer to the community.

In partnership with The AIDS Support Organization (TASO), and with funding from Global Fund, the Ministry of Health, trained these 332 CHEWs, and they will support health education, disease surveillance, immunization and referrals, improving access to essential services while reducing hospital burden.

It should be noted that Kyenjojo District faces high malaria cases at 31%, poor antenatal attendance, high HIV prevalence rate, at 6.3% against the National HIV prevalence of 5%, but has greatly improved on TB treatment, at 93%. Malnutrition has also greatly reduced, while the dropout rate for immunization stands at 5.3%.

The CHEWs will bridge health facilities, and VHTs, transfer the Primary Health Care knowledge attained in the 6month training to the communities, and enhance household level care.

At the ceremony, they were handed over and equipped with bicycles to ease movement, phones for data collection, iPads, medical kits, blood pressure monitors and screening tools, which will help them drive early disease detection, better nutrition, HIV testing and counseling, and improved sanitation.