Ntungamo District Rolls Out 3-Day Immunisation Training for Newly Recruited Health Workers

By Anthony Kushaba

NTUNGAMO, UGANDA — The Ntungamo District Health Department has launched a three-day immunisation training to equip newly recruited health workers with the skills and knowledge needed to deliver high-quality immunisation services across the district.

The training, which began on Tuesday this week, brings together health workers from both public and private health facilities  ranging from Health Centre IIs to IVs and private hospitals. It is being conducted by the District Health Team in partnership with the Ministry of Health and with full support from UNICEF.

According to Beatrace Chemisto, the Assistant District Health Officer in charge of Maternal and Child Health, the training aims to strengthen immunisation coverage and ensure all children — including those in remote and hard-to-reach communities — receive life-saving vaccines.

Chemisto noted that the training will update participants on the current national immunisation schedule, which has expanded from the original six targeted diseases to thirteen. She highlighted the recent introduction of vaccines for diarrhoea, measles, hepatitis, yellow fever, and the newly rolled-out malaria vaccine.

While applauding progress in vaccine availability across the district, Chemisto raised concern over persistent vaccine hesitancy in some communities. “There are still parents who do not complete their children’s immunisation schedules due to cultural and religious misconceptions,” she said, urging health workers to engage communities with accurate information.

Speaking at the launch, Assistant Resident District Commissioner Jimmy Tashobya called on the trainees to uphold professional standards and play an active role in raising health outcomes in Ntungamo. He warned against individuals and groups promoting untested herbal remedies as alternatives to proven immunisation programs.

“We must protect our children from preventable diseases such as tetanus, malaria, and polio,” Tashobya said, praising President Yoweri Museveni, the Ministry of Health, and the district leadership for their continued commitment to improving health services.

The training is part of broader government efforts to enhance healthcare delivery, promote public health security, and drive sustainable development as Uganda works toward achieving middle-income status.