Kazo District Local Government has received 102 bicycles aimed at supporting Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) in delivering improved health services across the district.

The CHEWs program, which is supported by the Ministry of Health in partnership with TASO (The AIDS Support Organization), is designed to strengthen community-based health services. Each parish in Kazo district has two CHEWs, one male and one female, who were selected by local leaders and parish stakeholders. Their recruitment was verified by both the Ministry of Health and the District Health Department, with a minimum qualification requirement of an O-Level certificate.

Following their selection, the CHEWs underwent six months of intensive training at the Kazo District headquarters. After their training, they were deployed to serve within their respective parishes. The CHEWs spend 70% of their time working within their communities and 30% at nearby health facilities. They are equipped with knowledge and skills to prevent and manage diseases at the community level and are also expected to receive additional equipment to support their work.

Fokushaba Scovia, the Kazo district health educator, noted that this strategy will reduce the disease burden and decrease the number of patients visiting health facilities. “With the CHEWs program, we expect a significant improvement in health outcomes in our communities,” she said.

Chief Administrative Officer Hajji Badru Mayanja Majwala expressed gratitude to the CHEWs for their commitment and hard work. “These workers are playing a vital role in the fight against diseases in our communities. Despite earning modest allowances, they are making a meaningful contribution,” he said. Mayanja also thanked the Ministry of Health and its partners for donating the bicycles, noting that they will greatly ease the CHEWs' work.

The Resident District Commissioner Captain Yahaya Kazo echoed these sentiments, commending the CHEWs for their dedication and urging them to serve patriotically. “You have been given a chance to serve your country, do it with passion,” he said.

LC5 Chairperson Rev. Samuel Mugisha Katugunda applauded the CHEWs for their efforts and urged them to maintain professionalism and adhere to the training they received. He also encouraged them to use the bicycles as their primary mode of transport to improve efficiency in service delivery.

Kazo District is among the fortunate districts to benefit from the CHEWs program, which has not only improved health service delivery but also created employment opportunities for local residents.

Tinyefuza Naboth
Kazo District Communications Officer