Kumi VHTs irritated over delayed pay
KUMI– Members of the village health teams [VHTs] in Kumi district are irked following a delay in payment of their allowances which they were promised as they implemented different health programmes in the district.
In 2022, Kumi district health department engaged 1,670 VHTs to implement activities such as Tuberculosis Cast programme, Polio Vaccination Campaign and Measles-Rubella vaccination exercise in 354 villages.
According to the guidelines seen by this reporter, each member of the VHT is supposed to be paid a facilitation allowance of Shs 105, 000 for Polio Vaccination Campaign and Shs 80, 000 for Integrated Child Days Plus Programme and Shs 100, 000 for Measles Rubella Vaccination Programme.
However, some of the members of the VHTs in the district claimed a number of them have not been paid while those who have been paid, say they received less money than what they were promised.
Michael Okello, a VHT member from Kanapa Village in Ongino Sub-county said he is yet to receive his allowances, noting that their counterparts from the neighbouring districts have received their money.
Sarah Amodoi, another affected VHT member from Kalapa Parish in Nyero Sub-county said she was demoralised due to delayed payments.
“It is very sickening for you to sacrifice your time to implement government activities expecting to be compensated, but at the end of the day, the responsible officials tell you there is no money,” said Amodoi.
She accused the leaders of not giving them an explanation for the delay in the payment of their allowances.
“We have on several occasions complained to our supervisor, the district health educator, John Adae-Kamiri about delayed payment of our allowances, expecting to get an explanation but in vain,” Amodoi stated.
Martine Ariko, a VHT from Atutur Sub-county told this reporter that he is not able to buy his children scholastic materials, as he does not have any money.
“I want to appeal to the district authorities to expedite the process of paying our allowances such that we can also meet our daily needs,” Amodoi said.
The district coordinator VHTs, James Olokojo said some of the members received less money than what they were promised.
According to him, some of the VHT members were paid between Shs 5, 000 and Shs 40,000, which is far below what they signed in the voucher sheets.
Meanwhile, Kumi district health educator, John Adae-Kamiri acknowledged the delay in paying VHTs but blamed it on the Ministry of Finance, saying it has not authorised the district to release the funds.
“All the processes for payment of VHTs have been fulfilled but we are waiting for the Ministry of Finance to issue a payment authorisation letter.”
He further urged the VHT members to be calm, saying their matter would be sorted out soon.
However, the Kumi district LCV chairman, Nelson Elungat tasked the district health office [DHO] to ensure that VHTs are paid.
https://thecooperator.news/alebtong-vhts-obua-urged-to-form-sacco/
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