VP directs CHWs to enhance diseases preventive education

KIGOMA: VICE-PRESIDENT Dr Philip Mpango has directed Community Health Workers across the country to actively engage in educating communities on effective disease prevention measures.

Dr Mpango issued this directive during his visit to Kasumo Village Dispensary in Buhigwe District as part of his working tour in the Kigoma region yesterday.

“The diseases that commonly afflict people in our villages can be mitigated through education. These include waterborne diseases and respiratory-related illnesses,” Dr Mpango emphasised.

He urged CHWs to educate families about the dangers of children drinking contaminated water while playing outside, emphasising that such diseases can be prevented through awareness.

“You must visit households and educate people on the danger of letting children drink contaminated water when they are outside playing, we can control these dangerous diseases through education,” he noted.

“Some people believe that boiled water lacks taste. It’s crucial to educate people on the importance of boiling water to safeguard health,” Dr Mpango remarked.

He commended the villagers for completing the construction of a dispensary, which has become helpful to the villagers and neighbouring villages.

“I am asking you to continue with this spirit, volunteering and cooperating in implementing development projects like this one is very important and valued,” he said.

Dr Mpango also inspected other development projects in Buhigwe District such as the ongoing construction of Kahimba Secondary School and Muyama – Kasumo – Kabanga asphalt road.

Also Read: VP Mpango urges for diligence in development projects

On road construction projects, the VP directed the contractors to speed up the project and make sure they complete as per agreed time.

He said the improved infrastructure will enable citizens to effectively engage in both social and economic activities.

“The sixth phase government led by President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan is committed to complete all development projects in Kigoma Region. The completion of these development projects will stimulate economic growth by attracting more investment and facilitate business activities,” Dr Mpango added.

In February this year, government launched a robust integrated CHWs programme by recruiting a total of 137,294 workers in all 26 regions of Mainland Tanzania Dr Mpango revealed during the launch of the programme and the Community Health roadmap, which aimed to speed up access to better health services for all, especially at primary health facilities.

“We want to recruit and train 137,294 community health workers, and we will carry out this strategy throughout Tanzania’s 26 regions,” he said.

Additionally, he stated that the programme would be implemented over five years. In the first year (2023/2024), a total of 28,000 workers would be employed.

In the following four years (2024/2025 to 2027/2028), an average of 27,324 persons will be employed annually.

According to the VicePresident, candidates for the jobs will be chosen at the hamlet level in their villages and streets in urban areas.

The candidates must be locals. The VP noted that the programme will be implemented in all 64,384 hamlets and all 4,263 streets in mainland Tanzania.

Each hamlet and street will have two workers (a man and a woman).