A total of 119 Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) in Napak District have completed four months of classroom training and are set to begin a two-month community practicum before their graduation under the Ministry of Health’s CHEWs Programme.
Napak is among the districts where the Ministry of Health is piloting the programme aimed at strengthening primary healthcare services at the community level through trained health workers.
The six-month training programme consists of four months of classroom instruction followed by two months of supervised field practice in communities.
Presiding over the pass-out ceremony, Napak Resident District Commissioner Milton Odong thanked the government for creating an enabling environment for health worker training and urged the trainees to serve their communities with commitment and professionalism.
“I thank the government for creating an enabling environment for education and health training. I encourage you to serve your communities diligently, with commitment, professionalism and respect,” Odong said.
Napak District Health Officer Charles Nuwagaba, who supervised the training, said the CHEWs had acquired practical skills that will help improve healthcare delivery at the grassroots.
“The trainees have acquired skills in administering first aid, identifying and reporting illnesses, collecting community health data, providing health education and referring patients to health facilities for further treatment,” Dr Nuwagaba said.
He said the community practicum will allow the trainees to apply classroom knowledge while working directly with households.
The ceremony was attended by members of the Napak District technical team, political leaders, health facility in-charges, representatives from Baylor Uganda and other stakeholders.
Napak District Workers Councillor Wilson Lotuke pledged support to the newly trained health workers as they begin their community assignments.
“We shall work closely with the trainees to overcome the challenges they may face in the course of their work and ensure they succeed in delivering quality healthcare services,” Lotuke said.
Health officials said the CHEWs Programme is expected to improve disease surveillance, health promotion, early diagnosis and referral of patients, especially in hard-to-reach communities across Napak District.
