MoH Says DCSAs Vital to Promoting Community Health

Malawi has about 11, 000 Disease Control and Surveillance Assistants Malawi has about 11, 000 Disease Control and Surveillance Assistants - pic by Christopher Sande

Health authorities have asked for consistent funding to improve the availability of Disease Control and Surveillance Assistants, DCSAs that are key in promoting community health services in Malawi.

Ministry of Health Principal Secretary responsible for Administration Bestone Chisamile told journalists after the graduation of 110 DCHAs in Blantyre that currently the country has a gap of 4, 000 DCHAs to meet the required 1 to 1000 ratio.

“Malawi has about 11, 000 Disease Control and Surveillance Assistants commonly known as HSAs with a ratio hanging at 1 HSA serving 1, 600 people,” said Chisamile.

He then encouraged the new DCSAs HSAs to demonstrate ethical standards when discharging their work.

United States of America President Emergency Plan for Aids Relief, PEPFAR Deputy coordinator in Malawi Sarah Mwale said they will continue to support adolescent girls and young women to be financially empowered and take part in national development.

“We are targeting girls of ages between 10 to 24. The girls are identified through DREAM program to equip them with knowledge and skills to minimise risks for HIV infection,” said Mwale

The sentiments were made during the graduation of 110 HSAs drawn from Blantyre, Zomba and Machinga under economic empowerment program from DREAM-AGYW who are adolescent girls and young mothers that dropped out of school due early pregnancies and later accorded another chance to complete their studies.

One of the graduates, Yvonne Mchemoh said the opportunity of being trained for 13 weeks as DCSAs will strengthen them to work hard, live a better life and contribute to the development of the country.

She then thanked the Malawi government, American government and historically black colleges and universities Global health consortium for their support.

Read 1313 times
Login to post comments
Go to top
JSN Time 2 is designed by JoomlaShine.com | powered by JSN Sun Framework