Agago VHTs Feels Left out by the government

1 October 2024, 7:41 pm

By Vincent Kaguta

Agago West Constituency VHTs during a meeting organized Luo Fm Pader as part of its corporate social responsibility. ( Photo credit: Odong Daniel)

Despite selfless dedication VHTs are to providing essential health services to rural communities, the Village health teams in Agago West Constituency in Agago district have expressed grave concern over the action by the government of Uganda for not considering them as useful in the society.

The Village Health Teams (VHTs) voluntary efforts have bridged the gap where government health services are scarce, bringing hope and relief to those in need. Their tireless commitment to improving the wellbeing of the rural community in providing Primary healthcare, promoting health education, supporting vulnerable people and connecting people to vital service is truly inspiring.

Ogwal Benson, a VHT attached to Omot Health Centre III, Omot sub county Agago district said despite their contribution in saving countless lives, alleviating suffering and strengthening community resilience, VHTs have numerous problems that the government has to look into.

Ogwal sighted motivation in term of facilitation from government despite the fact that they have been promised to get at least 150,000 shilling per month as one of the problem that the VHTs in Agago district are facing during the cause of their work to support them paying school fees of their children and other basic needs.

Amono Juliana, one of the Village Health team from Lamiyo Village in Ojuu Parish, Lamiyo Sub County in Agago District said apart from payment VHTs in the district have faced with different challenges such as transport in terms of Bicycles and Motorcycles for easy mobility while treating patients within their area and smart phones for easy data collection and reporting.

Alanyo Catherine, VHT peers attached to Lunyirinyiri health Centre II in Lira Palwo sub county Agago West Constituency said  that being health Centre I, they should be given uniforms and other protective gear such as overalls, gloves, bags among others.

Omara Emmanuel, Health Information Assistant Lamiyo Sub County in Agago district said Uganda like many African countries suffers from a serious shortage of health human resources who would oversee and guide the people to implement these basic health interventions”.

He adds that community participation and empowerment is a strategy that enables communities to take responsibility for their own health and wellbeing and to participate actively in the management of their local health services.

Establishment and utilization of VHTs demonstrates the commitment of Uganda to the aspirations and principles of Primary Health Care and Health Systems in Africa by fostering full community involvement in health and health care delivery in accordance with the primary health care approach in Uganda.