Bernard Mutambudzi

Village Health workers play an essential role in the primary healthcare system in Zimbabwe, a senior official in the Ministry of Health and Child Care has revealed.

In a telephone interview with this publication, Dr Cythia Chasokela said village Health workers remained integral in the delivery of health within their communities.

“Village Health workers know every child, mother, father as they come face to face with the reality of the situation on a daily basis," said Chasokela.

She said village health workers make sure pregnant women are tested early and receive anti-retroviral drugs and ensure that no mothers pass the virus to their babies.

She said health workers needed to constantly receive induction courses.

"Health is dynamic, there are ever changing trends in the field, they need to be kept abreast of ever changing trends in the sector," she said.

UNICEF representative to Zimbabwe Ms Laylee Moshiri said her organisation would continue to support health programs in Zimbabwe.

She said UNICEF partnered with Government, some international organisations, civil society to promote health programs in the country.

Dr Chasokela said the training of health workers would create employment to dedicated members of the community.

“Village Health workers are selected from dedicated members within communities with zeal to help," she said.

UNICEF poured three million towards the training of health workers with initial target being tutors who will Cascade to the ten provinces of the country.