Ministry of Health in Partnership with UNICEF, has donated assorted work equipment to Community Based Volunteers (CBV’s) at Matero Level One Hospital in Lusaka, in a bid to strengthen their efficiency in community engagement.
Speaking at the event, Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Donor Coordination, George Sinyangwe, expressed government’s commitment to standardising the stipend for the now trained polyvalent CBV’s, that have become part of the ministry’s mainstream workforce.
Dr Sinyangwe added that the training from monovalent to polyvalent, and the donated work enhancement items and devices, will enhance reporting and enable the CBV’s to address wider community health needs.
“As government, we are focused on building a resilient, equitable and people centered health system, and strengthening community health remains a central pillar of this agenda,” said Dr Sinyangwe.
He also commended UNICEF for supporting the training of over 5000 Polyvalent Community Based Health Volunteers, describing it as a significant contribution to the government’s efforts to building a more responsive community workforce.
UNICEF Country Representative, Saja Abdallah, who was represented by UNICEF Chief of Health, Atnafu Getachew, added that smartphones, which were part of the donation, will enable front line workers in remote communities to communicate directly with supervisors for guidance.
Dr Getachew added that equipping and supporting the volunteers will build trust in the communities and ensure that no child, mother or family is left behind.
He added that his institution and the government will continue to identify gaps, advocate for increased investment and strengthen the functionality of community health structures in the country.
Lusaka District Health Director, Astridah Maseka, said the donated enablers, personal protective clothing and equipment will go a long way in supporting the volunteers to do their work safely, effectively and with dignity.
Dr Maseka also called on UNICEF and other stakeholders to expand investment in the training and stipend support of the community workforce, in order to motivate them.
A Polyvalent Community Based Health Volunteer, Grace Salimu, commended the stakeholders, stating that the training and equipment will enable them to serve their communities with knowledge, dedication and compassion.
UNICEF and the Ministry of Health Partnered to donate $620,000 United States Dollars’ worth of equipment to the Polyvalent Community Health Volunteers at Matero Level one Hospital in Lusaka.
The equipment include mobile phones, blood pressure machines, gumboots, raincoats, measuring tapes, safari vests and calculators
