TAYEBWA WARNS CHEWs: Don’t Play Doctor!
By Our Reporter
MITOOMA — Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has warned 155 newly trained Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) in Mitooma District against treating patients or setting up informal clinics, directing them to focus on health education, disease prevention and linking communities to health facilities.
Tayebwa told the workers to become the government’s “eyes and ears” in their communities by identifying health risks, educating households and referring patients to appropriate health facilities.
“You’re not a doctor; don’t start acting like doctors, don’t set up clinics. Don’t attempt to treat anyone. That is not your job,” Tayebwa said.
He was speaking on Monday, October 5th, during the passing-out ceremony for the CHEWs at Mitooma District headquarters, where he joined Ministry of Health officials and district leaders to mark the completion of their training.
The workers are expected to take health promotion closer to households, particularly in communities where residents face difficulties accessing health facilities.
Their responsibilities include community sensitisation, disease surveillance, promoting immunisation and antenatal care, identifying health risks and referring patients for professional treatment.
‘BE THE GOVERNMENT’S EYES’
Tayebwa said the new workers have an important role to play in identifying health challenges within communities and ensuring residents receive timely information and professional care.
He said Mitooma’s geographical setting and disease burden make community sensitisation particularly important.
The district has communities bordering forests and a national park, while malaria remains a significant health concern.
Tayebwa urged the CHEWs to identify communities facing particular disease burdens and tailor their health education campaigns to the needs of those areas.
He also called on local leaders to give the workers space at community gatherings, including burial ceremonies, to sensitise residents on health matters instead of allowing such platforms to be dominated by politicians.
The Deputy Speaker further urged the workers to educate communities about lifestyle-related diseases, including the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption, and encourage women to attend routine antenatal care.
BICYCLES WARNING
Tayebwa also cautioned the CHEWs to safeguard bicycles and other equipment provided by the government, saying the items are work tools and should not be treated as personal property.
“Guard the properties that you have been given; they are not gifts. They are work equipment. For you women, if your husband confiscates the bicycle, report immediately,” he said.
MINISTRY PUSHES PREVENTION
Director General of Health Services Dr Charles Olaro said deployment of the CHEWs forms part of a broader Ministry of Health effort to shift Uganda’s health system towards prevention rather than waiting for people to fall sick before seeking treatment.
Olaro said a significant proportion of Uganda’s disease burden could be prevented through better health information, healthier lifestyles and early action at community level.
He said the success of the CHEW programme should not simply be measured by the number of patients referred to health facilities, but by the health problems prevented within communities.
Olaro said the workers should play a key role in promoting immunisation, antenatal care, family planning, sanitation and prevention of non-communicable diseases.
MITOOMA STAFFING GAP
Mitooma District Acting District Health Officer Julius Taremwa said the new workers will help bridge a longstanding gap between households and health facilities.
He said although the district recently recruited 101 health workers, including a surgeon, gynaecologist and medical officers, overall staffing remains at about 22 per cent.
Taremwa also pointed to gaps in health facilities in some communities, saying Mitooma General Hospital is still undergoing further development.
“We still have communities that are not being reached. For example, Katenga Sub-county as a whole has no health facility, and Kiyanga Sub-county also faces gaps in access to health services,” he said.
The deployment of the CHEWs is expected to strengthen the link between communities and the formal health system, particularly in hard-to-reach areas, while expanding the focus on disease prevention and health promotion.
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