Village Health Teams-VHTs in Fort-Portal City are demanding a monthly salary to cater for the expenses incurred while monitoring and reporting community health.
The VHTs Program was established in 2001 as a cost-effective way to link communities with health services. VHTS were established by the Ministry of Health to empower communities to take part in the decisions that affect their health; mobilize communities for health programs, and strengthen the delivery of health services at household level.
The VHTS revealed that they face challenges with transport, airtime, food and field wear costs while conducting health surveys in communities adding government has not recognized their job.
Gorreti Nyangoma, a VHT from Mukonomura cell, Butebe ward in North Division said she has spent over 10 years volunteering in this service but is not happy that when government is enhancing the salary of other health workers it cannot think about them.
Rosette Kabarangira, the Butebe Ward VHT Coordinator who doubles as a counselor noted that at first NGOs were partly funding their activities however, but these phased out paralyzing the service.
Asiimwe from Rwengoma of Central Division said during the rainy season they have to walk under rain and on poor roads yet they lack field protective wear like raincoats, gumboots and umbrellas. She added they normally receive a small allowance which is paid after a long period.
Justine Mbabazi, the VHT Coordinator North Division said all these challenges and lack of allowances have demoralized the teams. Mbabazi also noted that during epidemics like Covid 19 and Ebola, they work tirelessly with no protective gear like gloves which puts their life in danger because they are always at the front line.
Another VHT who preferred anonymity said they trek long distances for health meetings and trainings without transport refund or any allowance.
But Dr Solomon Asiimwe the Fort Portal City Health Officer says that according to the VTH frame worker they are categorized as volunteers who aren’t entitled to a monthly salary. However, he says that when there is an activity or campaign and the VHTS are part of it, they are always facilitated.
