By Alex Pithua

The Zombo district deputy Chief Administrative Officer [CAO] Samson Natsambwa has urged Village Health Teams [VHT’s] members to promote good sanitation, hygiene at their homes as role models in communities they serve as health workers.

VHTs coordinators capacity building training session at Zombo district community Hall last week. [photo by Alex Pithua

Deputy CAO, Natsambwa made the statement while opening a two-days orientation and capacity building training for 50 VHT’s coordinators of Zombo district in Karim Hall on Monday 20th April 2026 reiterating that they should be responsible to serve the community with high integrity.

He advised these health workers to avoid excess consumption of alcohol, directing them to focus on helping communities and parents in order for them to know their roles, be responsible and educate children.

The principal Assistant secretary Ephraem Kumakech implored the sub counties and the town councils’ leadership to plan for the VHT’s while collaborating with them on matter of health.

Kumakech commended Infectious Diseases Institute [IDI] for facilitating the training and supporting the district’s health department.

The training covered topics including integrated disease surveillance and response, reporting, communication and expression skills respectively.

Harriet Thumitho, the health educator Zombo district observed that this is aimed to empower VHT coordinators to be able to improve awareness on health issues in the community.

Thumitho said it is important for health professionals to be capable of communicating well at all times to avoid misinformation, distortion and miscommunication between a health worker and a person seeking help.

Charles Ongiertho VHT Coordinator Fada Ward, Zombo town council said he is now able to conduct surveillance on the diseases that might emerge and report in time to the town council health assistant.

Village Health Teams (VHTs) in Uganda are community-selected volunteers, established in 2001 to bridge the gap between local communities and formal health services.

They promote health, conduct home visits, treat basic illnesses (malaria, diarrhea, pneumonia) in children under five, and manage referrals, playing a crucial role in reducing mortality.

Zombo district VHTs coordinators in recieved PPEafter recieving capaity building training. [Photo by Alex Pithua]

Alex Pithua is the News Editor at Zoomer Africa, your trusted grassroots information hub for African stories, voices, and updates.