– workforce gets major boost with new Medex, Technicians, and Assistants

MORE than 100 newly certified healthcare professionals will soon return to their respective regions to strengthen Guyana’s health services, following their graduation from the Ministry of Health’s Clinical and Technical Training Programme.

The ceremony was held yesterday at the Pegasus Suites, Atlantic Conference Centre, Georgetown.
The graduates — including Pharmacy Assistants, Rehabilitation Assistants, Medex, and Medical Laboratory Technicians — completed a rigorous four-year programme aimed at building technical expertise and improving patient care across the country.

EXPANDING ACCESS AND STRENGTHENING PRIMARY CARE
In his address, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, said the graduating class will play a vital role in the government’s efforts to deliver world-class healthcare.
He noted that six new hospitals have already been opened across Guyana, with two more set to be commissioned within the next two weeks.
“These new facilities will see an overall improvement in services, and some of you will have the opportunity to work in them,” Dr. Anthony told the graduates. “We need to change the culture based on patient complaints — go the extra mile, show the right attitude, and give people the experience of good care.”

The minister announced that 29 new Medex will join the public healthcare system, boosting primary healthcare capacity in the country’s 185 health centres and outposts. With 109 Medex currently in service, Dr. Anthony said the aim is to reach the 185 target so that every health facility has at least one Medex.
Dr. Anthony highlighted ongoing partnerships with the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), involving 115 targeted interventions at health centres to eliminate certain diseases. He acknowledged that not all facilities have been following guidelines and pledged significant reforms to strengthen disease prevention.
A key part of this effort is the Ministry’s school health programme, which has already screened 40,000 nursery-level children for vision, hearing, dental, and general health issues. The programme will soon expand to primary and secondary schools, with telemedicine supporting better diagnosis at 81 sites nationwide.

UPGRADING TECHNOLOGY AND LABORATORY SERVICES
At the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), the ministry is rolling out an electronic patient records system to reduce reliance on paper files. Laboratory facilities are also being upgraded to detect new pathogens.

The government has secured US$22 million from the pandemic fund to expand testing capabilities at hospitals across the country. New hospitals are under construction in Kato, Lethem, Kamarang, and Moruca, alongside upgrades to older facilities in other regions.

Dr. Anthony urged graduates to continue advancing their medical education to match the pace of modernisation in the sector. He pointed to opportunities available through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL), Coursera, and overseas partnerships, with government funding covering costs.

“You were taught the basics, but you must continue training to deliver better quality care,” he said. “We are building a robust healthcare team that can meet the needs of our people now and in the future.”

The ceremony also featured remarks from Director of Training and Education Chandroutie-Persaud Bahadur, Senior Health Education Officer Georgel Abrams, and Medex Training Coordinator Sarah De Peana.

With their certification in hand, the new healthcare professionals are expected to make an immediate impact as they take up positions in communities across Guyana, contributing to a stronger, more responsive health system.