The training aims to equip 166 community health extension workers with the necessary skills to provide quality healthcare services to rural communities.
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Minister Aber posing for group photo with the trainees
The Ministry of Health and the AIDS Support Organization (TASO), with funding from Global Funds, has launched a training program for community health extension workers in Kitgum district.
The training, which kicked off at Kitgum Technical Institute in Pager Division, Kitgum Municipality, aims to equip 166 community health extension workers with the necessary skills to provide quality healthcare services to rural communities.
According to Dr. Henry Okello Otto, the Kitgum District Health Officer, the trainees were selected from among the existing Village Health Teams in the Kitgum district. To be eligible, the trainees had to have an O-level certificate be under the age of 35 and must be permanent residents of the particular Parish/ Wards.
"We are excited to partner with TASO and the Ministry of Health to train these community health extension workers," Dr. Otto said. "They will play a critical role in addressing the healthcare challenges faced by our communities."
According to Okello, two people were selected from each of the 83 parishes/ Wards in Kitgum district
The training program, which will run for six months, will cover a range of topics, including maternal and child health, malaria prevention and treatment, and health education.
Dr. Christopher Oleke, the lead trainer from the Ministry of Health, explained that the community health extension workers will be deployed in their respective parishes after completing their training.
"Once graduated, these community health extension workers will be able to treat simple malaria cases, assist pregnant mothers, and educate local communities on health-related issues," Dr. Oleke said.
Dr. Oleke also revealed that the Ministry of Health will provide support to the community health extension workers for some months after their training before they are officially handed over to the district.
Lillian Aber, the State Minister for Disaster Preparedness, Relief, and Refugees, who is also the Kitgum Woman Member of Parliament, said that the training program is part of the government's efforts to improve healthcare services in rural areas.
Kitgum district is one of 12 districts in Uganda benefiting from this training program
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Opoka Denis
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