Communities in the area of Traditional Authority Wasambo says lack of proper houses for Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs) has been single out as one of challenges retarding health services among the people more especially the under five children and pregnant mothers.

Wasambo Area Development Committee Chairperson Happy Ndovie made the sentiments during a stakeholders meeting conducted by Ukhondo Services Foundation (USEF) aimed at finding lasting solutions on some of the challenges affecting primary health services in rural areas.

Ndovie said there is need for collaborated efforts in making sure that the HSAs are having good houses in the villages saying their absence due to housing has been affecting the under five children and pregnant mothers who cannot manage to travel to rural hospitals.

“It’s sad that some HSAs fail to live in their designated places because they are looking for better houses near trading centers. As ADC we ask our traditional leaders and those in authority to consider constructing houses for HSAs in villages so that they do not ran away,” he said.

USEF with financial support from Tilitonse Foundation is implementing transparency and accountability on the use of medical drugs in public health facilities.