By Ronald Kabanza.
Rukungiri- The Minister of Health Hon Dr Jane Ruth Aceng has assured Ugandans that the government is very much committed to strengthen the primary health sector in the country by empowering community needs to promote good health care for every citizen.
Officiating the commissioning of 210 Community Health Extension Workers at Hotel Riverside in Rukungiri District , Dr Acenge said that the Extension Workers recruitment is in line with Uganda Health Sector Development Plan of improving access to Universal Health Coverage.
” This traditional community health strategy is aimed at accelerating health results on strengthening access to promotive, preventive rehabilitation health and curative care services”
Ms Acenge said.Speaking at the Permanent Secretary at Ministry of Health Dr Diana Atwine said the Community Health Extension Workers ( CHEWS) will strengthen the community health systems as part of lager national systems to ensure equitable distribution household centered health care services.
” I want to thank Rukungiri District Leadership for careful selection of the Community Healty Extension Workers and pledged total support to ensure that they do their work promptly and also thanked their families for supporting them and assured themon increased payment” Ms Atwine said.
The Rukungiri district health officer Dr Akasiima Mucunguzi hailed the government of Uganda under the leadership of H.E. Y K Museveni for his strong relationship with the Western counties which are funding such projects .
“This an American funded project and for your information it came because of good leadership in our country. So I must the president and his cabinet ministers for creating a favourable environment Dr which enabled western countries to fund such, programs which so helpful to us as a country in terms of strengthening service delivery “. Dr Akasiima said.
He also informed the ministry of health officials led by the minister of health Dr Ruth Acheng about the lack of the district hospital.
“We badly need a district referral hospital because traveling from Rukungiri to mbarara looking for specialized is very expensive for common people so kindly consider giving us a district referral hospital” Dr Akasiima said.
On issue of understaffing, Dr Akasiima said ” the district staffing level is at 28.8% and it is from this point that I want to inform you our health workers are over loaded.
Chews Speaking.
.Mr Robert Mugabe one of community health extension worker vowed to do his work with love and passion.
“I promise to handle patients with care and love because we told that it our responsibility to link patients to health units ” Mr Mugabe said.
He add that” being health worker is good and it has been one of dreams so must work with one heart”.
Each graduate was awarded a certificate of attendance, given a toolbox kit, a uniform and a bicycle to help move from door to door to ensure that they engage the community where they live in health promotion that include sanitation, nutrition, maternal health care and immunisation.
