Being a Volunteer Health
Team (VHT) member is an important job in the communities where UVP works. These
members are members of the community and are trained to assist their fellow
community members with basic health problems, helping them get to the
facilities they need. They also help collect data and mobilizing organize
activities for UVP and the district.
An organization called
FABIO, with support from Cope Africa, has begun work in Iganga and is offering additional
support for VHTs. FABIO is an environmental organization that promotes riding
bicycles as opposed to other fuel-consuming modes of transportation. They have
worked in Kampala, Kamuli, Jinja and are expanding their work to Iganga. The
major objectives for this project are to support the VHTs in their community
activities by providing subsidized bicycles and offering training to VHTs on
health and environmental issues. They began their work in 2 sub-counties in
Iganga- Nambale and Nawandala. UVP was happy to find out that some of our VHTs
would have the opportunity to purchase a subsidized bicycle.
Titus, UVP staff member,
attended the bicycle distribution event. Excitement was in the air in Nawandala
sub county headquarters when the 164 bicycles were given to the VHTs.
Titus sat down with two
of our VHTs who bought bicycles:
“By getting this
bicycle from FABIO, my work has been simplified because am now able to reach
many more households in my community than before. It will also save my time when
am doing VHT work especially mobilization for family planning and HIV out
reaches as well as home visits to our patients that have been referred and are
on treatment. I thank Fabio and their donors for this support” .
- Nandase Zabina
“As the VHT chair
person in Nambale Sub County, we are grateful and happy to get these bicycles. Our
work is going to be done on time because we have our own transport. I think now
our quarterly meeting and health center visits are going to increase. The
bicycles have increased our motivation levels to work and we appreciate FABIO
for giving us the bicycles.”
- Sagaire Malijani.
Titus engaged with the
Fabio staff, thanked them for their work and encouraged them to continue their
work in the other subcounties in Iganga. We hope to see even more of our VHTs
have this opportunity to reach out to the members of their communities and
continue their good work.
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