FORTY-TWO healthcare professionals from institutions across Guyana have completed a three-week Digital Healthcare Seminar designed to strengthen their capacity to manage emerging technologies and improve healthcare delivery.
The programme, funded by the Government of the People’s Republic of China and supported by the Ministry of Health, focused on preparing healthcare workers for the growing integration of digital systems and smart technologies into Guyana’s health sector.
The participants received certificates of completion on Wednesday during a closing ceremony at the Embassy of China in Georgetown.
During the three-week programme, participants were exposed to hospital management and information systems, while also examining real data and challenges encountered in their respective workplaces.
The training provided an opportunity for the professionals to work with trainers to identify practical ways of improving existing systems and applying digital solutions to everyday healthcare operations.
Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Yang Yang, said Guyana’s health sector was developing rapidly, with digitalisation and smart technologies playing an increasingly important role in improving services and strengthening the country’s healthcare capacity.
She noted, however, that digital transformation was not simply about acquiring new equipment or technology, but also required new approaches, improved processes and more effective management.
“Ultimately, it depends on people. We need professionals who understand technology, know how to apply it, and are able to manage it effectively,” Ambassador Yang said.
She said programmes such as the seminar were intended not only to facilitate knowledge-sharing but also to build skills and strengthen institutional capacity.
The ambassador encouraged the participants to apply the knowledge gained during the programme in their workplaces and to share it with their colleagues.
Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr Cerdel McWatt, highlighted the significant expansion of Guyana’s health sector over the past five years, noting that the Ministry is working towards the development of additional healthcare facilities.
He said seven new facilities would contribute to further improvements in healthcare delivery and stressed the need for trained personnel capable of managing them efficiently.
“With these new facilities to come on board in time, there will be a need for skilled personnel like this batch, who will be able to manage these facilities efficiently,” Dr McWatt said.
He urged the participants to view themselves not only in terms of their individual healthcare roles but also as public-sector professionals responsible for delivering services to the population.
“We want to see improvement in leadership of these facilities. We want to see improvement in how we manage the resources and of course that will foster a greater impact of us improving health and wellness, and moving towards nothing less than fostering world-class healthcare services for all,” he said.
The participants were also encouraged to become resource persons within their respective institutions by sharing the knowledge acquired during the seminar.
They were advised to introduce improvements gradually, addressing one aspect of their operations at a time as Guyana continues to modernise its healthcare system.
