INTRODUCTION
Pursuant to its oversight role over the Ministry of Health and Child Care, the Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Care enquired into the roles and responsibilities of the Village Health Workers (VHWs)/City Health Promoters (CHPs) in the provision of primary health care in Zimbabwe. The Committee was compelled to enquire on the deployment, roles and responsibilities of the Village Health Workers/City Health Promoters following observations during the tours to Population Services Zimbabwe's Outreach Family Planning Services in Ntabazinduna and Chitindo areas in 2015.
From the tours conducted in Ntabazinduna and Chitindo areas, the Committee noted that the Village Health Workers have an essential role to play in the provision of the primary
health care in Zimbabwe. The Committee learnt during these tours that the Village Health Workers face various challenges in the discharge of their duties among them were inadequate tools of the trade and some discrepancies in allowances given to them.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the enquiry were:
To appreciate the roles and responsibilities of the Village Health Workers in the provision of primary health care in Zimbabwe;
To appreciate recruitment and selection criteria of the Village Health Workers;
INTRODUCTION
Pursuant to its oversight role over the Ministry of Health and Child Care, the Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Care enquired into the roles and responsibilities of the
Village Health Workers (VHWs)/City Health Promoters (CHPs) in the provision of primary health care in Zimbabwe. The Committee was compelled to enquire on the deployment, roles and responsibilities of the Village Health Workers/City Health Promoters following observations during the tours to Population Services Zimbabwe's Outreach Family Planning Services in Ntabazinduna and Chitindo areas in 2015.
From the tours conducted in Ntabazinduna and Chitindo areas, the Committee noted that the Village Health Workers have an essential role to play in the provision of the primary
health care in Zimbabwe. The Committee learnt during these tours that the Village Health Workers face various challenges in the discharge of their duties among them were inadequate tools of the trade and some discrepancies in allowances given to them.
To assess the deployment of the Village Health Workers in the rural communities;
To understand the Village Health Workers' working conditions and remuneration; and
To recommend possible incentives for improved service delivery for increased Village
Health Workers productivity and effectiveness in the health sector.
METHODOLOGY
The Committee used two methods of data collection namely; oral evidence and familiarization tours to selected Rural Health Centres and urban areas.