Mitooma Health Workers Advised Against Practicing Medicine, Focus on Prevention

Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has strongly advised 155 newly trained Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) in Mitooma District against assuming the role of medical practitioners. During their passing-out ceremony on Monday, Tayebwa emphasized that the workers’ mandate is not to treat patients or establish informal clinics, but rather to serve as the government’s frontline in promoting health.

Tayebwa instructed the CHEWs to focus on health education, identifying community health risks, and ensuring residents are connected to appropriate health facilities for professional medical care. “You’re not a doctor; don’t start acting like doctors, don’t set up clinics. Don’t attempt to treat anyone. That is not your job,” he stated.

The newly trained workers are expected to bring health promotion services directly to households, especially in remote areas with limited access to health facilities. Their key responsibilities include community sensitization, disease surveillance, promoting essential services like immunization and antenatal care, and referring individuals needing treatment.

Given Mitooma’s unique challenges, including proximity to forested areas and a high burden of malaria, Tayebwa highlighted the critical importance of community health education. He urged the CHEWs to tailor their awareness campaigns to specific community needs and risks.

In addition to their core duties, Tayebwa encouraged the workers to educate communities on lifestyle-related diseases and the importance of antenatal care. He also reminded them to safeguard the bicycles and equipment provided by the government, stressing that these are work tools, not personal property.

Ministry of Health officials, including Director General of Health Services Dr. Charles Olaro, echoed these sentiments, explaining that deploying CHEWs is part of a national strategy to shift the health system towards prevention. Olaro noted that success would be measured by health problems prevented, rather than just patient referrals.

Mitooma District Acting District Health Officer Julius Taremwa acknowledged that the new CHEWs will help bridge the gap between communities and health services, particularly in areas lacking adequate health facilities. He mentioned that despite recent recruitment, the district’s health staffing remains significantly below the required level, with some sub-counties completely unserved by health facilities.