THIRTY-SIX young professionals from all across Guyana will be embarking on a four- year medic programme, which was officially launched yesterday by the Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence, at the ministry’s Nursing Annex, Fort Street, Kingston.

“My expectations are high. I am buoyed by the thought that I would have 36 additional qualified professionals deployed in all the regions, who will dedicate their lives towards the improvement of the health status of the citizens of this country,” the minister told the gathering as she delivered the feature address at the launching ceremony.

“I was overjoyed to see a full complement of participation from all the regions, thus strengthening the ministry’s orientation of focusing on the hinterland and far-flung areas and improving the health services there and providing quality care for our people,” she said.

The programme sees the participation of several individuals from the hinterland and riverine areas. It is envisaged that these persons will return to their communities to work, and this will go a long way in improving the quality of health services provided in those areas.

“More than ever the ministry recognises how essential it is to have a competent and qualified workforce, to help bridge the gap and create a sustainable healthy environment for all, in every community,” Lawrence noted.

“If I’m on the coastland and I could walk into a health centre and be provided with 10 services, then, irrespective of where I am in the hinterland I should be able to have those same services. Guyanese wherever you live you should be provided with the same services at the highest quality.”

She implored of the trainees to remain committed and persevere as they go through their studies from year to year, reminding them of the important role they will be playing in the health system after completing their studies and receiving their certificates.

“Trainees, you, the health personnel, represent the cornerstone of the health care system without highly qualified persons to man our systems and dispense the necessary care as we strategise to prevent and control the onset of diseases,” she said.

The programme is being done by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the University of Guyana, Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS). Dean of the FHS, Dr. Emanuel Cummings also reminded the students of the standard they must hold themselves to as UG students.

The programme will comprise two phases, the first phase which includes basic nursing and mid-wifery skills and the second which deals with comprehensive clinical skills.

The medic programme in Guyana was first started in 1978 when the then Ministry of Health was approached with an offer to facilitate the training of mid-level health care practitioners to service the citizens living in remote communities in Guyana, viz., the hinterland communities.

“The need was great. There was no school of medicine in Guyana. All MDs were trained in Cuba and access to medical services was limited in remote and coastal tribal areas. Among the diverse Guyana population, the indigenous people were most at risk. The medics filled the gap of providing that mid-level health care,” related Director of Health Sciences Seraiah Validum, as she spoke briefly on the history of the medic programme in Guyana.
Also delivering remarks at the event were Coordinator of the Medic Training Programme, Chief Medic Lolitta Rebeiro and MoPH Chief Medical Officer, Shamdeo Persaud.