Derrick A
On Thursday, 80 Village Health Team (VHT) members from Kebisoni Sub County received medical health kits to assist them in providing healthcare services in their communities.
During the handover ceremony, the Rukungiri District Secretary for Health, Hon. Mathias Mwesigwa Rwabugumi, announced that Rukungiri had previously not received VHT kits. This prompted him and other district officials to appeal to the Ministry of Health, which responded positively. He mentioned that the district has already received over 1600 kits, ensuring each VHT receives one. Each kit includes a thermometer, apron, bag, t-shirt, torch, and gumboots, with additional items to be distributed later.
The kits will enable VHTs to provide first aid to patients at the village level. Rwabugumi commended the VHTs for their voluntary work and assured them of the government’s plans for their support, encouraging them not to lose hope.
Erick Tumushabe, the VHT coordinator for Kebisoni Sub County, and Norah Kangari expressed gratitude to the government for the kits, which will aid their work in their respective villages. However, they also reminded the government to fulfill its promise of providing smartphones to each VHT to facilitate timely report submissions and to consider formalizing their salaries.
Jovolet Kwikyiriza, another VHT member who received a kit, noted that the kits would significantly ease their work in the villages.
The event was attended by Hon. Winnie Nahurira, the Kebisoni Sub County and Town Council Women District Councilor, and George Ruraka, the Secretary for Finance and Administration for Kebisoni Sub County, who represented the Kebisoni Sub County Chairperson.
The Ministry of Health established VHTs to empower communities to participate in health-related decisions, mobilize for health programs, and enhance health service delivery at the household level.
