Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, has commissioned 155 Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) in Mitooma District following their successful completion of six months of training.

The commissioning took place at Mitooma District headquarters in the presence of the Director General of Health Services, Dr. Charles Olaro, Commissioner Dr. Richard Kabanda and other officials from the Ministry of Health.

The 155 newly trained CHEWs are expected to strengthen the delivery of primary healthcare services at community level by taking health promotion, disease prevention and early identification of illnesses closer to households.

Speaking during the commissioning, Tayebwa said CHEWs would play a critical role in Uganda’s primary healthcare system by serving as the eyes and ears of government within communities.

He said their responsibilities include promoting disease prevention, providing health education, identifying health challenges early, making referrals and encouraging healthier lifestyles.

Tayebwa, however, cautioned the CHEWs against acting as doctors by attempting to treat patients beyond their mandate or setting up clinics in their homes.

He urged them to instead identify health challenges in their communities, educate residents and guide people to the appropriate health facilities whenever they require medical attention.

The Deputy Speaker also called on the CHEWs to serve with integrity, compassion and professionalism, while protecting the equipment provided to them and remaining accountable to the communities they serve.

Commissioner Dr. Richard Kabanda emphasized the importance of ensuring that CHEWs remain active within the communities they are expected to serve.

“The CHEWs must spend 80% of their time in the communities,” Kabanda said.

The Ministry of Health said the newly commissioned CHEWs will support health promotion, disease prevention, early identification and referral of illnesses, maternal and child health, as well as linking communities to health facilities.

Their deployment is part of the Ministry of Health’s broader efforts to strengthen Uganda’s community health workforce and improve access to quality healthcare services, particularly at household and parish level.

Mitooma District has 12 sub-counties, six town councils and 79 parishes. Its health system comprises one General Hospital, one Health Centre IV, 11 Health Centre IIIs, six Health Centre IIs and two private not-for-profit Health Centre IIIs.

Dr. Olaro said about 75 percent of the disease burden is preventable, highlighting the important role CHEWs can play in reducing preventable diseases through community education, early detection and referral.

Tayebwa said the CHEW programme is an important intervention for strengthening Uganda’s primary healthcare system and pledged continued support for its countrywide rollout.

The commissioning of the 155 CHEWs in Mitooma marks another step in efforts to bring healthcare closer to communities and strengthen prevention, early detection and referral of illnesses at household and parish level.