THE Health Ministry stands on four critical pillars – equity of access, value for money, client satisfaction, and quality service; but these cannot hold strong unless there exist medical professionals who are able to effectively and adequately deliver health care services. To ensure that the health system has an adequate complement of professionals, the ministry has made available clinical and technical training programmes which are open to youths from all over the country.
Most recently, it has been recognised that many youths from the hinterland regions are applying for medical training in nursing and technical programmes.
Director, Regional Health Services, Dr. Narine Singh, explained that 10 years ago, only persons from the coast applied for the programmes; but now more persons from the hinterland are showing an interest. This can be attributed to the improved educational achievements of hinterland students who are able to meet the entry requirements of the Health Ministry.
Within the next month, a number of professional and assistant nurses from a recently graduated batch will be deployed to the hinterland with most of them actually returning home.
These new nurses will aid in delivering care to the increased patient load and services at the district hospitals.
It is expected that in a few years, equity of health care in the hinterland will improve and realise the ministry’s goal of ensuring equitable distribution of health care throughout the country.
Meanwhile, Coordinator, Indigenous Peoples Communities, Michael Gouveia, stated that the ministry is strengthening its supervisory visits to the hinterland regions so as to ensure that quality health care is delivered.
He explained that the ministry now has a more collaborative working relationship with agencies, including the ministries of Amerindian Affairs, Local Government and Regional Development and Education, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and people in the communities, so as to garner information early.
Gouveia indicated that the robust MEDIVAC programme is still on-going and provides the opportunity for critically ill patients to be air-dashed to the Georgetown Public Hospital. Last year, over 70 patients were air-lifted on 60 flights.