Amref Health Africa in Uganda to train 500 CHEWS

A total of 500 Community Health Workers (CHEWS) are to be trained in Uganda by Amref Health Africa in partnership with the ministry of health.

"In our 2018 to 2022 strategy, we will support the training of 500 CHEWS," Abenet Leykun Berhanu, the Amref Health Africa's country director in Uganda said.

Berhanu was addressing the media at the head office in Kololo ahead of Amref Health's 60th anniversary in Africa and 30 years of service in Uganda scheduled for November 8.

The programme manager, capacity building Patrick Bigirwa said Armref has been supporting government policies in alternative ways by bridging the gap in health workers through advocating for increasing investment in the training of CHEWS.

 
"We have worked with government to support the development of the curriculum and also identifying 1500 CHEWS to be trained by the health ministry," Bigirwa said.

Dr Christopher Oleke, in-charge of the village Heath Teams (VHTs) and CHEW programme at the health ministry said, to qualify, one should be Ugandan with a senior four certificate and aged between 18 to 35.

Dr Oleke said the two people (male and female) should also be nominated by the community where they belong.

The news comes after World Health Organization in Geneva, on October 26 launched new guidelines on health policy and system support to optimise community health workers' programmes.

Dr Diana Atwiine, permanent secretary at the health ministry confirmed that a total of 1500 CHEWS have already been selected in 10 districts of Acholi, Lango sub-region and Mayuge district.

Dr Atwiine said the CHEWS will soon be trained after the already passed policy has been tabled before cabinet