The Ministry of Health has announced plans to deploy more than 3,000 Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) in eight districts as part of efforts to strengthen community health systems.
The districts to benefit from the rollout include Bukedea, Mitooma, Kisoro, Kalungu, Kakumiro, Mbale, Bunyangabu, and Kassanda. Selection and training of the CHEWs is scheduled to begin on September 15, 2025, with support from the Global Fund through The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO).
According to the ministry, over 3,000 CHEWs have already been trained, equipped, and deployed in more than 30 districts across the country.
Speaking during a stakeholder meeting held at Kisoro District Council Hall yesterday, Dr. Richard Kabanda, Commissioner at the Ministry of Health, said the CHEWs program is key to bridging gaps in primary healthcare delivery.
He added that the initiative will not only improve access to health services but also enhance disease prevention and health promotion at community level. Dr. Kabanda noted that CHEWs will play a vital role in driving immunization demand and community mobilization.
“Most public health programs rely on strong community systems,” Dr. Kabanda said, noting that CHEWs will play a vital role in driving immunization demand and community mobilization.
Kisoro Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Hajji Badru Ssebyala welcomed the initiative, stressing that it would enhance supervision and coordination of health services in partnership with Village Health Teams (VHTs).
“The health sector is Godly work. I urge health workers to deliver services diligently and take their jobs seriously because many people are out there struggling for employment,” Ssebyala said.
He commended government efforts to boost health manpower at community level and applauded VHTs for their continued role in service delivery.
CUE IN RDC SSEBYALA…..ON THE MATTER……ENG//
Once recruited, CHEWs will be provided with toolkits that include health education handbooks, T-shirts, gumboots, medicine boxes, digital thermometers, blood pressure machines, tablets, and motorcycles, among other essentials.
