The Minister of Health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng concluded the National Health Promotion Conference by celebrating its success and outlining future priorities, with a special focus on training Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs).
She emphasized the need for comprehensive training to replace the activity-based approach previously used for Village Health Teams (VHTs), which have been trained since 2001.
“We are all going back with more knowledge, all fired up, and with better capacity,” Aceng remarked, expressing deep appreciation to all who supported the three-day conference hat ended in Friday.
In her address, the Minister highlighted the importance of streamlining the training of VHTs, aiming for “wholesome training” that equips workers to serve effectively at the grassroots level.
“We don’t want activity-based training. We need to give wholesome training, and only go back to reorient and check on the knowledge,” she explained.
Dr. Aceng also called for stronger accountability from District Health Officers (DHOs), urging them to take more ownership of their work, especially in districts that have fallen behind in health service delivery.
“You are our foot soldiers, but very disconnected from your work. Districts doing well have very committed DHOs,” she said. “We want you to take charge of the work you do so that no district is left behind, and we move as a whole.”
The Minister further highlighted the importance of aligning health partners with the government’s strategies and plans to achieve unified progress. She concluded with a promise to adhere to the principles laid out in the conference’s communique, urging districts to prepare and give accountability at the next conference.
“We shall give accountability in the next conference,” Aceng affirmed.
The event marked a renewed commitment to strengthening Uganda’s public health infrastructure, with a clear emphasis on training, accountability, and coordinated efforts across districts and health partners.
