Buyende VHTs empowered with bicycles to ease their work

6 October 2026, 1:18 pm

By Ali Lukomo

To ease transportation and improve the response to diseases in communities, Plan International, a non-governmental organisation, has provided more than 100 bicycles to Village Health Teams (VHTs) in Buyende District.

During the flag-off of the bicycles at the district headquarters, Mr Kwiri Anthony, the Buyende District Health Officer, commended Plan International for supporting the VHTs, saying they perform important work and face numerous challenges while carrying out their duties.

Mr Kwiri Anthony urged the VHTs to use the bicycles responsibly and carry out their duties effectively.

Through integrated community case management, the VHTs have also been provided with medical equipment, including carriers, to enable them to transport medicines quickly to communities where they are needed.

The sub-counties of Ndolwa and Buyende received the largest share of the bicycles after it was established that diseases such as malaria, coughs and other related illnesses are common in the areas due to their location.

The Village Health Teams were first trained on how to work with communities and manage common illnesses. Where a patient’s condition persists or requires further medical attention, the patient is referred to a hospital or nearby health facility.

An official from Plan International heading the Integrated Community Case Management programme, said they found it necessary to support VHTs in Buyende District to strengthen child and community health and help keep communities free from the diseases mentioned above.

He said the VHTs were trained on how to work with communities and follow referral pathways, including how to communicate and make referrals when necessary.

Mr Godfrey Banga Nkurunziza, the Buyende District Chief Administrative Officer, asked the beneficiaries to use the bicycles for their intended purpose and create awareness in the community before making referrals.

He warned them against attempting to manage diseases they do not understand, advising them instead to make referrals for the benefit of the affected persons.

It should be noted that Buyende District has a rapidly growing population, with only two health centres and poor access to health services in some communities. In response to these challenges, non-governmental organisations have come up with interventions to support VHTs in bringing health services closer to communities and enabling faster responses.