—urged to be professional, effective and efficient
TWENTY-FIVE doctors were given the charge to perform professionally, effectively, efficiently and to work towards delivering an excellent service to residents in the hinterland regions.
This was the charge given to them in an orientation session for the medical officers being deployed to the hinterland regions.
Director of Regional Health Services (RHS), Dr Kay Shako, disclosed that the objectives are to re-orient the doctors to the management and treatment of diverse disease conditions in the hinterland regions.
She noted that another objective is to educate doctors of their role in strengthening the primary health-care system within the hinterland regions, adding that it also seeks to re-educate doctors on the medical–legal issues that exist as a result of poor management of patients in the interior locations.
She said that the orientation is critically important, as it seeks to ensure that the doctors entering the hinterland regions are fully and properly prepared, as they seek to benefit from the many opportunities being provided by Government.
“This is a very important session and these doctors going to the hinterland regions are going there for the first time, so we from the Ministry of Public Health have to ensure that we do everything properly. This will ensure that when they [doctors] get there, they can deliver a very high service, thus enhancing health care in those parts of Guyana,” Dr Shako said.
The RHS Director reiterated the need for the doctors to conduct themselves with the highest professional standards and human integrity as they provide needed solutions to the people that they will be serving.
“Remember, being humane and compassionate in the face of illness should be the primary principles that you live by while executing your duties daily as well,” she stressed.
She spoke about the mandate of the RHS, including the importance and purpose of deployment, among a number of other important issues.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Karen Boyle, along with Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud, gave brief remarks, urging the doctors to take their commitment seriously.
SERIOUS RESPONSIBILITY
They reiterated that the doctors have a very serious responsibility which must not be taken lightly; and they must never lose sight of the commitment that they have made.
Dr. Horace Cox, who is the Director of Vector Control Services along with Dr Kavita Singh, who heads the Chronic Disease Department and Ms Dinte Conway, who also heads the Food Policy Division added their voices, warning the doctors that while they would be evident challenges taking into account that it’s a new experience for them, they are confident that if they remain open and welcome the challenges the results certainly would be life-changing and enjoyable.
They noted that their focus should not be on the challenges and or difficulties being faced, adding that life in the hinterland regions would be obviously different from what they have encountered in the coastal areas.
The doctors who previously served in several coastal areas will now be entering the hinterland regions where they are expected to be based for a period of time. This forms part of their contractual services to the Government of Guyana.
Meanwhile, Minister within the Ministry, Dr Karen Cummings, in her presentation, expressed confidence in the doctors, telling them that their responsibilities include bringing relief to the people in the hinterland communities.
GIVE FULL COMMITMENT
“You will be placed in a variety of situations that will employ your skills in various combinations. Regardless of the circumstances that you will encounter, strive to brighten the area and the corner that you occupy,” Minister Cummings urged.
The minister told the eager and evidently excited doctors that they will discover that the most important moments are the human ones, since that involve taking care of people when they are most vulnerable.
“Professionalism, high ethical standards, and compassion, should forever remain the driving forces propelling you forward in your journey as competent medical practitioners, regardless of the specialty areas you will eventually choose,” she said, adding: “Always strive to convert the science and the art of being an exemplary doctor into a life- changing legacy for generations to come. The patients and other medical personnel with whom you come into contact must develop confidence and trust in you as you attend to the business of healing.”
Minister Cummings reminded the young doctors that the Ministry of Public Health remains unremittingly committed to providing the best quality health care to all persons living in Guyana.
“All of you gathered here today will now play pivotal roles in the delivery of an incomparable quality of health care to the persons living in the communities in which you will be placed,” she reassured them.
Dr Rhonda Moore, Programme Manager of NAPS; Dr Util Thomas, who is the Director of the Mental Health Unit; Principal Personnel Officer within the Ministry of Public Health, C. Phoenix; and Michael Gouveia who is the Coordinator of the Indigenous Peoples Unit, also made presentations.
