By Emmanuel Eumu
Jane Ruth Aceng (Center) inspecting the bicycles before they were distributed in Lira City.
Lira– The Minister for Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ochero has flagged off the distribution of 196 bicycles that were donated to the Community Health Extension Workers “CHEWs” by her office.
This comes as a boost to the “CHEWs” for their work in Lira city, which has had a positive impact on the community.
Aceng is hopeful that the arrival of these bicycles will become a magic bullet in penetrating the rural communities as the government intensifies the coverage of health services.
“I want you to add more knowledge because in the area of Health, each day gives a greater opportunity to learn,” said the Minister.
The program started in Lira will be rolled out to other parts of the country in the coming weeks.
Lira City’s acting Town Clerk Ochari Lillian, said that the bicycles will be distributed directly to the CHEWs, she added that the Ministry will be monitoring the use of the bicycles to ensure that the intended purpose is achieved.
Dr. Ronald Miria, the in charge of health promotions and strategic health communication in the Ministry of Health, applauded Aceng for lobbing for the bicycles from the world Bicycle Relief.
He noted that the bicycles will be of help to the “CHEWs” for reaching more people and providing better health care services.
“We hope these bicycles will support the community extension workers in terms of transport,” said Dr.Miria
She added, “as the ministry we do support them with 150,000 shillings monthly and as a matter of fact, we are scaling up to other parts of the country with the payments of “CHEWs” so that they continue with their work uninterrupted.”
The East African Regional Director world Bicycle Relief , Maureen Kolengo, said that they have approximately distributed 800,000 bicycles across 21 countries, adding that she is confident that the bicycles will improve the lives of the extensive workers in Lira City and Lira district.
“We are optimistic that these bicycles will improve the lives of the CHEWs of which 50 percent are female,” Ms. Kolengo said
The distribution of the bicycles was attended by the Lira Resident City Commissioner, Lawrence Emmy Egole and other district officials.