THE new training programme being undertaken by the Ministry of Health, through its $700M budget, has received a good response.

Director of Health Sciences Education, Mr. Noel Holder said testimony to that is the 1,000 plus applications received.

He said the best of the applicants will be chosen with the most important requirement being English Language.

“We are preparing for clinical and technical training that is scheduled to commence soon,” Holder said.

He said, for the purpose of continuing it in the health sector, the Ministry invited persons interested in becoming, among other things, pharmacy and rehabilitation assistants, audiological practitioners, medical laboratory and x-ray technicians, community dental therapists and environmental health workers to apply.

Holder said instructions will be conducted in the different disciplines for periods of 12, 18, 24 and 36 months, free of cost, after which the newly trained individuals would be contracted to the Government.

He explained that those who applied are still being processed for the selection process, following which the successful ones will be contacted and informed on starting dates for the stints.

In addition, Holder said the arrangements are being put together and the facilities would be upgraded but, at the start of the training, all successful applicants will be required to undertake a core course, covering areas such as anatomy, physics, chemistry, information technology and management.

It would help them become more rounded and then they will move into the various disciplines, he explained.

However, the course that was slated to have already begun has met with a few challenges that have caused it to remain in the preparatory stages, Holder said.

According to him, the main challenge is having had to organise a change in venue to accommodate the facilitation of the core course sessions.

He said a larger space is needed but he assured that the issue would be resolved with focus remaining on the importance of providing affordable opportunities for individuals who wish to pursue a career in health sciences.

Holder mentioned that, apart from the current training series, persons already qualified have avenues available which would allow them to further qualify through post graduate programmes accredited by the University of Guyana (UG).