Story by Ivan Mugisha
Kazo District has taken a significant step toward improving community healthcare by distributing 102 bicycles to Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs), aimed at enhancing their reach and impact, especially in remote areas.
The bicycles—donated by the Ministry of Health in partnership with The AIDS Support Organization (TASO)—are expected to improve the mobility and efficiency of CHEWs as they deliver essential preventive and primary healthcare services across the district.
Each parish in Kazo is served by two CHEWs (one male and one female), carefully selected by local leaders and approved by both the Ministry of Health and the Kazo District Health Department.
To qualify, candidates were required to possess at least an O-Level certificate.
After selection, the CHEWs underwent six months of intensive training at the district headquarters.
Now fully deployed, they dedicate 70% of their time working directly in communities and 30% at nearby health facilities, addressing common illnesses and promoting disease prevention at the grassroots level.
Speaking during the official handover of the bicycles on Wednesday, Scovia Fokushaba, the Kazo District Health Educator, praised the initiative as a game-changer for public health.
“These bicycles will make it easier for CHEWs to access hard-to-reach areas, ensuring no one is left behind when it comes to health education and early disease detection,” she said.
The initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen Uganda’s community health system and bring healthcare services closer to the people.
