Government not phasing out VHTs-health services director
May 05, 2016
The VHTs have been trained on basic health knowledge by Save the Children Uganda, a non-governmental organization. Each of the trained VHTs received a bicycle to ease movement and a first aid box.
Anthony Mbonye, the director health services in the ministry of health has ruled out claims that government intends to replace the Village Health Teams (VHTs) with community extension health workers to be recruited at every health Centre II next financial year.
“The community extension health workers will be based at health Centre II and they will help in doing some operations like giving information on nutrition and creating awareness. They will also supervise and work closely with the VHTs” Mboye said while commissioning 200 VHTs in Ntoroko district today.
Anthony Mbonye hands over a megaphone to Mazwell, the DHO Ntoroko district
The VHTs have been trained on basic health knowledge by Save the Children Uganda, a non-governmental organization. Each of the trained VHTs received a bicycle to ease movement and a first aid box.
Mbonye also stated that government recognizes the VHTs and that they will stay as volunteers in the community.
He commended the VHTs for their dedication to improve the health standards in the community and observed that the community would not be having a disease burden if they had information about what causes the diseases.
Sarah Naikoba who represented the director for Save the Children Uganda asked government to set a minimum health standard for every village in Uganda.
“When government is rolling out its programs, they normally prioritize areas with bigger population. This leaves out areas like Ntoroko that are sparsely populated” Naikoba said.
Anthony Mbonye, the director health services in the ministry of health
She said that as Save the Children, their intension is to secure the young generation by ensuring that they survive, learn and be protected.
Maxwell Okello, the district Health Officer Ntoroko asked government to upgrade all the health facilities that were reconstructed and equipped by Save the Children Uganda.
Some of the health facilities that were reconstructed include Rwangara health Centre and Karugutu health Centre.
Okello stated that diarrhoea, anaemia and malaria are the most common diseases amongst children in the district.
Wilson Isingoma, the Resident District Commissioner Ntoroko asked the VHTs to help the district fight preventable diseases.
The VHTs after they received their bicycles