THE Rehabilitation Assistant Training Programme and Audiological Practitioner Training Programme of the Ministry of Health (MoH), on Thursday, held their graduation exercises to recognise 22 students who had successfully completed these courses.

Eighteen persons graduated from the Rehabilitation Assistant Training Programme, while four graduated from the Audiological Practitioner Training Programme.
These programmes commenced during December 2012, and lasted for 18 months, during which the students, supervised by numerous lecturers, carried out their studies in various clinics across Guyana.

Dr. Ruth Quaicoe and Ms. Geraldine Maison-Halls, respective coordinators of the Audiological Practitioner Training Programme and the Rehabilitation Assistant training Programme, have each said that these programmes were implemented in the year 1998, and have since recorded huge increases in the number of persons that are interested in the two practices.

This year, the Rehabilitation Assistant Training Programme recorded 98% improvement in the number of graduates; and Ms.Maison-Halls said this improvement was due to the commitment of the students, tutors and staff members in doing their parts.

The graduates were drawn from all the regions of Guyana.

Mrs. Sheran Harper, a member of the World Wide Mother’s Union, congratulated the graduates on their success.

Mrs. Harper, a former Rehabilitation Assistant, shared her experience with the graduates. She told them that, in her days, the resources were limited, and that made the work harder. But other than that, she affirmed, when she was recruited the job was a no paying job; but although that was so, she never gave up, because she knew that this was her one chance to do what she loved and at the same time help in the development of the healthcare department in Guyana.

Her closing remarks urged the students to recognise that they have an awesome task ahead of them, and what good blessings they would be to persons in need.

The best graduating student from the Rehabilitation Assistant Training Programme was Shameka Devonish, who graduated with distinction. Other persons awarded from that programme were Beryl Bascom (Most Improved Student), Rose Edwards (Best Speech Student), and Sharon Thompson La Rose (Most Helpful Student).

The Audiological Practitioners Training Programme saw Estherline Adolph being awarded the best graduating student, whereas Tisa John was awarded for being the Most Helpful Student, and Vernaden Williams the most improved student.
Written By Navendra Seoraj