IN its pursuit to promote the culture and practice of qualitative research in Guyana, the Institute of Health Science Education (IHSE) held its 12th Annual Medical Research Conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) on Sunday.

The forum brought together renowned medical practitioners and other health officials for the express purpose of promoting quality research in the local environment.
Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, who declared the session open, said the 2019 theme ‘Promoting research for safe patient care,’ mirrors the mandate of her ministry, which seeks to cater for the needs of Guyana’s populace, as it strives conscientiously to advance healthcare delivery services.

“I do concur that the significance of research cannot be underestimated, and so it is the remit of the ministry to do its utmost to encourage and invest in medical research,” Minister Lawrence added.
Director of the IHSE, Dr. Alexander Harvey, told the room of medical specialists that this year’s conference was the largest of its kind in Guyana.

Dr. Harvey stated that during the upcoming year, IHSE will be developing a comprehensive ‘train the trainers workshop’ for the teaching faculty and a research module for its residents in training — providing an opportunity for them to hone the research skills and tools needed to help solve local health challenges.

“The IHSE Research committee continues to offer its services to those who seek assistance in their research endeavours and we continue to encourage such interaction,” Dr. Harvey stated.

Among the research papers presented and discussed were emergency readiness in primary healthcare; an assessment on the incidence of depression among patients attending the Chronic Disease Clinic at the Campbellville Health Centre; and the implementation of a handwashing campaign at the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. These presentations were facilitated by Doctors Tariq Jagnarine, Sahodra Rambharose and Nurse Gangapattie Dani respectively.

Dr. Keith Cummings provided an update in hypertension management (pros and cons) during his feature address. (DPI)