STUDENTS of the University of Guyana School of Medicine (UGSM), faced with the institution’s loss of accreditation, are worried sick that their certificates may not be recognised in other regional jurisdictions. The accreditation was lost in July 2015, following the university’s delay in submitting a report on the school’s progress to the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Professions (CAAM-HP).
The regional body reportedly grants temporary accreditation under certain conditions to medical schools in the Caribbean. UGSM was granted short-term accreditation for the periods 2008 to 2009; 2009 to 2012; and 2013 to 2015. These were followed by visits by the authority in 2012 and 2013.
The Guyana Chronicle has learnt that during its last visit, the authority found that some of the issues that were highlighted on its previous visit had not been addressed.
The issues at reference primarily had to do with infrastructural improvements; a review of curriculum; and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) among the Ministry of Public Health, UGSM, and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for funding of the school.
UGSM was reportedly advised at the time to address the issues and submit a progress report, so that the authority could return this year to review its accreditation status.

MEASURED PROGRESS

Since then, some progress of sorts has been made on rectifying these issues, albeit in a sluggish manner. To date, a progress report has not been sent to CAAM-HP. According to President of the University of Guyana Medical Students’ Association, Terrence Isaacs, “The student association through its executive body has been pushing for UGSM adherence to CAAM-HP’s guidelines, and the completion of the progress report.”
He said that some of the issues highlighted by the authority have been addressed, but not all. For instance, the MoU was signed under the previous administration and is currently being reviewed by the current Minister of Public Health Dr. George Norton. Some of the classrooms and labs have also been refurbished.

He however said that where the revamping of the curriculum is concerned, significant progress has been made so far, since a specialist was hired to assist in the reconstruction of the curriculum.
Said he, “From the students’ perspective though, the last year has been tough; due to the political climate in Guyana, the progress in solving these issues have been moving at a snail’s pace.”
Asked specifically about the status of the report, Isaacs said that the last he had heard of it is that it was handed over to a deputy vice-chancellor to oversee its completion.
“When we enquired about the report and its submission, the vice-chancellor did not respond with any indication of if the report was completed or sent,” Isaacs said. “We were given the impression that because things were stalled due to the political situation, the report was not done, as they [UG officials] probably wanted something of substance to be in the report.”
As such, the university failed in its commitment to submit annual reports to the authority, and as a result, the accreditation was withdrawn in July. In relation to the accreditation, continuing and final-year medical students, as well as those graduating have expressed grave dissatisfaction over what has happened. These students, who are the major stakeholders of the programme, have scheduled meetings with both Public Health Ministers over the coming week in a bid to restore the school’s credibility.

STUDENTS WEIGH IN

“In the future, it is my hope that we can boost the facilities we have, and that our school can be on par with the best,” said final-year student Sara Scott.
“When I speak of UGSM,” she said, “persons must know what I speak of, and know that my degree is worth something. So it is my hope that the accreditation is restored.”
Recognising that accreditation is a vital factor in the grand scheme of things for medical students, Rishiram Dubraj, a fourth-year student expressed similar sentiments to Scott.
“It is the stepping stone to build careers, and a lack thereof stifles a generation’s ability to progress along that career path and contribute meaningfully as is always desired of us,” Dubraj said.
Third-year student Nandani Deokaran pointed out that as a medical practitioner, one’s qualifications must be of substance and recognised to ensure that there is trust on the part of one’s patients.
“Accreditation is of utmost importance; it verifies our MBBS as not just any degree, but one of standard, recognition and worthiness,” she said, adding:
“It’s not easy to go through medical school for five years of hard work and at the end of it end up with just a degree. It must be recognised; I really hope that the UGSM gets the support it needs from the government to boost the conditions, and further enhance the medical school in every way possible.”
According to second-year student, Shafali Milton,
“This accreditation should not only mean a lot to the students; it should also mean a lot to the public as well, because the easiest way for our health-care system to improve, is to improve the level of education being given to future doctors. And how can this be accomplished? By raising the standards and regaining the accreditation of UGSM.”
Describing the situation as “sad” and “disappointing” is third-year student Christine Singh, who echoed similar sentiments to that of the other students.
“For an esteemed programme like medicine to not be accredited is really disappointing,” she said. “There are students like myself who will migrate, and to have our degree not accredited will complicate our practice in another country. It is to be hoped that there is committed collaboration with the government, UG and UGSM to ensure that the school gets back full accreditation.”

OVERSEAS STUDENTS

A foreign student who will be graduating this year and who wishes to remain annonymous, said she was accepted into UGSM in 2010 and after spending five years at the school, she will be graduating from an “unaccredited institution.”
“As a foreign student,” she said, “I pay twice as much as the locals, albeit cheaper than other recognised medical institutions- I had expected to be graduating from a recognised university, as opposed to one that has completely lost its accreditation. Quite frankly, I feel it was a waste of my time and money, both of which I value.”
Another foreign student, who is in her first year, said that she, too, is disappointed at the turn of events.
“I am really disappointed by the current situation. They say first-years are the most hopeful, but at the rate they’re going, it seems like not enough would be done for us to get back the accreditation,” she said. “It would be really depressing if I can’t practise outside of Guyana, because five years of my life would be wasted.”
Isaacs, who will be graduating this year, said that after spending five years in an accredited institution, it is disappointing that he will be graduating, due to the July 2015 ruling, from an “unaccredited institution.”
“Not having accreditation undermines the hard work put in by lecturers and students. Now the graduating class will have to write CAAM-HP exams if they want to practice in some Caribbean countries,” said Isaacs, adding that this does not affect their ability to practise locally.
By Shivanie Sugrim