Kampala begins rollout of Community Health Extension Workers to strengthen primary Healthcare
The meeting, hosted by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), was led by the Director General Health Services, Prof. Charles Olaro, who expressed confidence in the implementation team and the success of the programme
KAMPALA — The Ministry of Health has launched the entry meeting for the rollout of Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) in Kampala Capital City, a move expected to improve access to essential health services at the community level.
The meeting, hosted by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), was led by the Director General Health Services, Prof. Charles Olaro, who expressed confidence in the implementation team and the success of the programme.
“I have no doubt that Dr. Sarah Zalwango and her team will make this a success,” Prof. Olaro said, noting that the introduction of CHEWs in Kampala will strengthen access to services such as routine immunisation and ensure that no child is left behind.
He added that a healthy population remains a key foundation for improving livelihoods and lifting communities out of poverty.
The Commissioner for Health Promotion and Education, Dr. Richard Kabanda, said Kampala provides a unique opportunity to test the implementation of CHEWs in an urban environment.
“The CHEWs programme is a good entry point for us to understand the dynamics of delivering community health services in an urban environment,” Dr. Kabanda said.
He urged implementing partners to work alongside existing community health structures, including Village Health Teams (VHTs), instead of creating parallel systems.
The Director Public Health at KCCA, Dr. Sarah Zalwango, welcomed the rollout, describing it as a major milestone in strengthening Primary Health Care services in the capital.
Assistant Commissioner Dr. Ronald Ocaatre explained that CHEWs will receive monthly stipends after submitting satisfactory reports, a measure aimed at promoting accountability and sustaining service delivery.
The Kampala CHEWs programme is supported by the United States Government through Makerere University Infectious Diseases Institute.
Representing the U.S. Department of State, Public Health Specialist Dr. Immaculate Ddumba said strengthening community health systems is critical to improving health outcomes.
“Health is made at home and only repaired at the health facility. We are now training and equipping a formal community health workforce to strengthen Primary Health Care at the grassroots,” she said.
Dr. Ddumba emphasized that CHEWs will complement rather than replace Village Health Teams, with both groups working together to deliver health services at parish and village levels.
CHEWs are selected through a community-led process at parish and ward levels. So far, 69 districts and cities across Uganda have rolled out 8,904 Community Health Extension Workers, bringing healthcare services closer to communities.
