Government, in its bid to provide equal educational opportunities to all, and to add to the delivery of quality health care in Guyana, has appealed to residents of forested and Amerindian communities to accept the call to join the Registered Nursing and Nursing Assistant Programmes which are being offered.

On a recent visit to Regions Seven and Eight, Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, handed out application forms to members of the Health Council and health workers and held discussions with Toshaos and community leaders to encourage villagers to become trained in the programme and complement the existing health teams working in those Regions.

Minister Ramsaran pointed out that in an attempt to provide the best medical care, a modern hospital was constructed at Lethem to better serve the residents of Region Nine.

The Mabaruma and Moruca hospitals in Region One have been rehabilitated and a Diagnostic and Treatment Centre added to the Suddie Hospital, increasing the need for more medical personnel in the interior regions.

The procedure for application to the nursing programme was explained and leaders responded positively.

Many nurses, once trained, choose to migrate, and this poses a dilemma in the health sector.

The nursing programme began in 1905 when the midwifery programme was introduced. This was followed by the professional nursing training.

In 1945, the Georgetown School of Nursing, the first training facility, was established, followed by two others in Regions Six and Ten. (GINA)