ONE hundred and twenty health care providers graduated on Thursday last from several programmes offered by the Ministry of Health in an effort to continuously build its capacity in the provision of services. The students who completed their studies in 2010 include 26 new medex, 26 pharmacy assistants, 24 environmental health assistants, 22 medical laboratory technicians, 11 dentex and 9 x-ray technicians. These persons are from all the administrative regions and are expected to return to their respective regions to provide services at the health facilities.
Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, noted that the graduation ceremony signals the investments made in the development of the health sector’s workforce by government.
In 2010, $700M was invested in the health sector to produce health care providers, not only doctors and nurses, but the needed support staff for the execution of diagnostic activities.
The availability of this new skills mix is in tandem with the investments made in securing equipment and the construction of facilities; since well qualified persons are required to operate and work in the facilities while sustaining the system.
In this regard, Dr. Ramsaran made reference to the present Administration’s promises made prior to the 2006 elections to enhance the social sectors, including the health sector.
Those promises are reflected in the completion of the Suddie, Leonora, Diamond and Mahaicony diagnostic hospitals, the National Ophthalmology Hospital at Port Mourant and the Mabaruma and Lethem hospitals.
He stressed that these investments can only be sustained with an educated and motivated workforce to deliver services in a professional manner.
Dr. Ramsaran noted that while the Cuban medical team is providing support to Guyana’s health care system, Guyanese are also receiving medical training in Cuba; following which they will replace the Cuban team.
He also made reference to the doctors who are pursuing ophthalmology training in Paraguay and Guatemala whose scholarships were sourced by Eye Care Guyana. Additionally, other medical professionals such as professional nurses are given the opportunity to up-grade themselves through specialized training including anesthesiology.
During 2010, the Health Ministry has been promoting continuous professional development through several programmes including cardiac arrest and information technology.
In this regard, Dr. Ramsaran indicated that the remedial information technology training programme has been on-going for three to four years. Thus far, 225 persons have completed training while another 122 persons are currently being trained in Region Five.
It is hoped that the IT programme can be integrated into the Ministry’s various training programmes; thereby allowing all health care providers the opportunity to be computer literate.
Dr. Ramsaran emphasised that the investments made by the Administration in the health sector are founded on four tenets which are equity of access to services, quality care, patient satisfaction and value for money. These ensure that services are provided at the highest standards to the benefit of all Guyanese.
The 2011 budget allocated over $280M for the continuance of the Health Ministry’s training programme.
More than 150 new health workers entered the public health sector contributing to improved doctors and nurses’ population ratio. (GINA)