-new telemedicine sites, construction of Kato Hospital underway

REGION Eight recently saw its first batch of 35 students celebrating their graduation from the Ministry of Health’s Community Healthcare Workers (CHW) Programme.

This milestone marks a crucial step in the ministry’s efforts to decentralise healthcare training, and ensure that comprehensive healthcare services reach remote communities.

The graduation ceremony was held on Saturday at the Roger Hinds Hotel in Mahdia, underscoring the importance of local capacity-building in healthcare.

This cohort, the first batch trained within the region, underwent an intensive six-month programme under the Health Sciences Education Division.

The new graduates are now set to return to their home villages, equipped with vital skills and knowledge to enhance healthcare delivery across Region Eight.

Their training included critical areas such as first aid, heart disease management, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and telehealth, ensuring they are well-prepared to handle a variety of health issues within their communities.

During the ceremony, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony commended the graduates for their dedication and achievements.

He highlighted that the graduates represent 23 villages across the region, which signifies a broad impact on the community’s health landscape. Dr Anthony emphasised the ministry’s goal to offer at least 115 different healthcare interventions at levels one and two health facilities, which are the primary healthcare providers in these remote areas.

“At levels one and two, one of the things that we’ve decided in the ministry is that we must be able to offer at least 115 different interventions. This is important because if we want to make sure that people are getting access to care, then these very basic interventions must be available to people in the various communities. I am very happy that with this batch of students, you were also able to include first aid, heart disease, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and telehealth,” Minister Anthony stated.

In addition to their practical skills, Dr Anthony encouraged the graduates to engage in continuous learning, especially through telemedicine. He disclosed plans to establish additional telemedicine sites in the region by the end of the year, which will provide opportunities for ongoing education and professional development. These sites are expected to be instrumental in offering advanced training and enabling the healthcare workers to earn additional certificates, further enhancing their expertise.

The health minister also urged the graduates to take on proactive roles within their communities, not just in clinical care, but also in health education.

He stressed the importance of educating residents on preventive measures for chronic diseases, conducting comprehensive school-health screenings, and supporting the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme, which are crucial for improving public health outcomes.

The ceremony was attended by several notable officials, including Regional Chairman Mr. Headly Pio, Regional Health Officer Dr. Talitha Cort, the ministry’s Hinterland Coordinator Mr. Michael Gouveia, and other dignitaries who played a significant role in the event.

Following the graduation, Minister Anthony visited the construction site of the Kato Hospital in Region Eight. This visit aimed to assess the progress of this critical infrastructural project, funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Upon completion, the hospital will feature 75 beds, a state-of-the-art medical laboratory, and a 24-hour operated Accident and Emergency Unit. The new facility, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2025 or early 2026, promises to elevate the standard of healthcare services available to residents in Region Eight.

The establishment of the Kato Hospital and the training of the new community healthcare workers are part of a broader effort by the Ministry of Health to enhance healthcare accessibility and quality in remote and underserved regions.