By Naomi Parris

AS they strut proudly across the stage to receive their certificates, 39 Community Health Workers (CWH) from Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and 10, on Wednesday, graduated from a training programme geared at boosting the country’s health sector.

The simple but significant graduation ceremony was held at the Regency Hotel where Minister of Health, Volda Lawrence, urged the young health workers to exercise patience and hospitality as they enter the world of healthcare.

Minister Lawrence noted that following the launch of the programme in 2019, the then trainees were equipped with the knowledge to increase their ability to tend to persons or patients in matters related to health.

Adding that the ministry’s main aim is to ensure health enthusiasts or persons wishing to have a career in the health sector are well equipped with the knowledge and skills to boost the country’s health system, the minister gushed about seeing young passionate health personnels like the graduates opt to pursue a career in one of the most demanding and critical, yet rewarding professions.

“I am elated to participate in this event and specially leave little words of encouragement with you the new batch of CHWs who will provide the [tremendous] service to the populace of Guyana,” she stated.

However, underscoring the importance of patience and hospitality, Minister Lawrence urged the new health workers to exercise patience and kindness towards patients and persons who may seek their assistance as she has had several complaints in the past of healthcare workers and their intolerable attitudes towards patients.

The minister said she has faith in the newest batch of healthcare workers to exercise patience, tolerance, kindness and hospitality as they return to various regions and communities.

Leaving words of encouragement with the graduates, Minister Lawrence urged the health workers to not only limit their medical education to the CHW programmer, but to pursue higher careers in the field of health, stating that, the “only limit is what you put on yourselves”.

The minister stressed that the graduates should not just settle for a certificate from the training programme but push themselves to one day become nurses and doctors.

Coordinator of Indigenous People Communities, Micheal Gouveia, also urged the students to use the CHW programme as a stepping stone to higher achievements.

Best graduating student, Shavanie Harrichand, in her valedictorian remarks, said while the programme was not easy, she and her colleagues were able to complete the programme with outstanding grades and are now equipped with the skills and knowledge to serve the people of Guyana.

In thanking her teachers, lectures, colleagues and others for their continuous support throughout the programme, Harrichand expressed immense gratitude towards them and encouraged her fellow graduates to carry out their duties to the best of their abilities.