The Guyana Burn and Health Care Foundation, a Canada based charity, has once more contributed to Guyana’s health sector.
And Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Michael Khan, expressing his appreciation, pointed out that the support given by the foundation over the years has assisted in the primary area of capacity building. A donation, totaling CDN$154,000 worth of equipment, was made to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) at the Project Dawn Health Centre, Lilendall, amidst a gathering of various stakeholders.
Khan added that the equipment will not only serve the needs of the GPH, but also the health care institutions in New Amsterdam, Linden and West Demerara.
The equipment included fetal monitors, heart monitors, a portable defibrillator and a quantity of Intravenous (IV) pumps.
Making the presentation on behalf of the Canadian charity was Canadian High Commission’s Charge d’ Affaires, Mr. Raymond Drouin.
In a statement to the media he said, “It is impressive to see the extent of the foundation’s involvement in Guyana.”
Drouin added that he was pleased to witness the transfer of Canadian expertise and technology by members of the Guyanese Diaspora to Guyana.
He said, “This is perhaps a reflection of the broader more valuable partnership and cooperation that exists between Canada and Guyana.”
Additionally, the donation was one aspect of support offered by the foundation.
The other saw a team of specialists being brought to Guyana to volunteer their time and expertise to train a total of 70 nurses.
The training sessions, conducted right at the Project Dawn Health Centre, are expected to extend until the end of this week.
The participants in the training session came from Regions Three (West Demerara/ Essequibo Islands), Four (Demerara/ Mahaica), Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne) and 10(Upper Demerara/Berbice).

TRAINING

The Charge d’ Affaires said the nursing profession is a novel one which embodied dedication to the care of humanity.
He observed that the profession is one that requires knowledge, skill and precision, patience and courage.
Drouin pointed out that there can be knowledge sharing, as those involved in the training will be in a position to train others.
“This way, the process will be sustainable,” he said.
The specialists facilitating the training include Ms. Julie Fischer, an occupational health nurse with expertise in infection control; Ms. Janess Wong, a registered nurse who works with Intensive Care; Dr. Gurudat Jagdeo, a pediatrician; Mrs. Ingrid Jagdeo, a registered nurse; Mr. Kirk Corkery, specialist in senior level consulting, governance, interim management and arbitration and mediation; and Keith Laycok, specialist in bio-medical engineering.
The training sessions facilitated an introduction to the use of the equipment being donated to boost the capacity of Guyana’s health sector.
The sessions also touched on neo-natal resuscitation, maternal and fetal well-being and infection control, among other areas.
The outcome of the training is the provision of tools and knowledge to nurses so that they will be able to address a broad spectrum of issues and challenges.
In an invited comment, Founder and President of the Guyana Burn and Health Care Foundation, Mr. Harry Harakh, said learning and development are central to his foundation’s overall strategic plan.
“I believe the training will make a difference and save lives,” he said.
Harakh explained that collaborations with Guyana began in 1998 and in 2002 the focus of efforts was changed.
He said, “We got involved with the Guyana Burn Care Foundation in Canada while collaborating with Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, and Mr. Michael Khan.”
Harakh noted that since then, the foundation has had a presence in Guyana and at the request of GPH’s Nursing Service Director, Audrey Cory, a training programme – Nursing Development Programme 2010 – was developed.
“After today, we will be looking at the feedback we get from the nurses, where they would like to receive the next training stint. We would respond to their needs but we want them to develop a programme,” he said.
The Nursing Service Director, in speaking to the Chronicle, said training and development of skills and knowledge is an initiative that is being advanced to motivate nurses.

NURSES’ DAY

She said with the observation of International Nurses Day (yesterday), the training was one of several activities planned to recognize the contribution of nurses and motivate their efforts further.
“This is a highlight in nurses’ lives, a week of activities; but everyday of the year we have to be looking at training, developing our staff and promoting better care,” Cory said.
This year’s theme for International Nurses Day is ‘Delivering quality, serving communities: Nurses leading Chronic Care’.