Rukungiri: The Ministry of Health has graduated 210 Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) in Rukungiri District to strengthen community healthcare services.
The graduation ceremony was held on March 5, at Riverside Hotel in Rukungiri Municipality.
The programme is a partnership between the Ministry of Health, local partners, and the Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC), with support from the United States government. The trainees underwent six months of intensive training aimed at equipping them with skills to address health challenges within their communities.
The CHEWs programme covers districts in Northern and Southwestern Uganda, including the Acholi, Lango, Ankole, and Kigezi sub-regions. Their main role will be to bridge gaps in the healthcare system by providing community-based preventive services and linking households to health facilities.
The Rukungiri District Health Officer, Dr. Mucunguzi Kasiima, emphasized the importance of the CHEWs in improving healthcare delivery in the district. He explained that two representatives were selected from each parish with balanced gender representation among the 210 trainees who underwent the six-month training.
Dr. Kasiima urged the graduates to work hard and serve their communities diligently, noting that their contribution will help improve health outcomes in the district despite challenges such as limited referral hospitals and low staff recruitment.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, congratulated the graduates upon completing their training and assured them of government support towards community health initiatives. She officially flagged off the CHEWs and handed over essential equipment including bicycles and medical devices to help them carry out their duties effectively.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Diana Atwine, also congratulated the graduates and appreciated the support from their families. She urged them to remain committed to improving community health. Dr. Atwine further revealed that the government has already allocated funds to upgrade Health Centre IVs in the region as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of Rukungiri District, Geoffrey Kyomukama, highlighted the persistent challenge of limited manpower in health facilities and expressed hope that the CHEWs will help bridge this gap.
Assistant Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Kellen Kagisha also reminded the graduates that the resources given to them are meant to serve the community and should not be used for personal interests.
