Mbabane – Twenty-seven newly trained Community Health Care Volunteers have joined Mbabane’s community health workforce after completing a 12-week intensive training programme.
The volunteers graduated during a ceremony held at the Prince of Wales Stadium, where 80 long-serving volunteers were also recognised for their contribution to community healthcare.
Health Minister Mduduzi Matsebula said the new volunteers would play an important role in bringing healthcare services closer to households and promoting healthy living.
He described Community Health Volunteers, known as Bagcugcuteli, as the “heartbeat” of the country’s Primary Health Care Strategy.
“Your role is indispensable in bringing health services closer to households, promoting healthy living, and ensuring that no one is left behind,” Matsebula said.
He said their work supported the country’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage by helping ensure that people could access essential health services regardless of where they lived.
The Minister thanked the Mbabane Municipal Council for financially supporting the 12-week pre-service training and transport for the volunteers, as well as providing gifts in kind to long-serving volunteers.
He also recognised the contribution of local leadership in creating an environment that allows community health programmes to operate effectively.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development said the work of Community Health Volunteers extended beyond the health sector, as they helped the government understand the needs of vulnerable households and connected residents to essential services.
He said the volunteers were an important link between formal institutions and communities.
The Mayor encouraged residents to support the volunteers by welcoming them into their homes and working with them.
The Ministry of Health said the community-based health programme was aligned with the World Health Organization’s Community Health Framework and the Africa CDC Framework for Community Health Systems Strengthening.
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