Following intense two-week course …
A GRADUATION ceremony held yesterday at Cara Lodge saw 76 health workers successfully complete an information technology course, in an effort to provide them with the necessary technological skills to carry out their duties more efficiently.
The two-week programme, which commenced on January 5 and concluded on January 26, comprised tutelage in introduction to computers; managing files; Microsoft word; Microsoft excel; Microsoft access; Microsoft  PowerPoint and electronic communication (The Internet).
In addition to the courses, the graduates were trained to analyse data on tables and charts.
The best graduating student from the batch was Shinauta Harvey.
Among those present at the ceremony were Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran; Senior Project Manager of the ‘One Laptop Per Family (OLPF)’ programme, Sesh Sukdeo; IT Programme facilitator, Drupattie Miller; and Director of the Division of Health Sciences Education, Noel Holder.
According to Minister Ramsaran, now that the workers have been exposed to computer systems, they will have an advantage in the technological world, which he hopes they will put to good use.
He added that the programme was aimed at bringing the workers up to speed and making them less intimidated by the equipment, and ultimately improving the workforce.
The Minister noted that the IT course was baptized remedial; however there is a vision to make it mandatory in nursing schools, Medex and Community Health Workers’ programmes and schools.
Further, Minister Ramsaran referred to the course as a means of positive transformation, as it coincides with government’s OLPF initiative, as well as the expansion of bandwidth cables and recommended that it be implemented as an entry criterion into the various health programmes.
He informed that the programme will also have benefits for the workers in a non-incentive manner.
Minister Ramsaran pointed out that the IT programme was convenient as it coincided with their working hours and there was a minimum expense.
In addition, facilitators utilised various schools that were inactive after school hours, particularly those with computer laboratories, as the Ministry collaborated with the Regional personnel to access the facilities.
Sukdeo enlightened the graduates about the OLPF initiative and advised them to assist in forwarding their knowledge and skills they would have garnered to friends, family and members of their communities to assist government with its target to distribute 90,000 laptops within a few years.
He pointed out that the programme not only provides skills but boosts confidence in operating the piece of equipment and communications skills.
Sukdeo highlighted that the laptop consists of a software that literally talks to the users, giving them instructions of how to operate it.
He said that in order to acquire the laptop, each person would have to earn it, as he/she would have to pass a test, subsequent to the training that they would have to get from trained IT personnel appointed by the Office of the President.
Holder congratulated the graduates and emphasised that IT skills are necessary and will benefit the workers as it will help them to complete tasks in an efficient and timely manner.                  
He added that the courses they have undertaken will allow them to record and save their work in a presentable manner and encouraged them to take the initiative as a challenge and to practice the acquired skills so that they can better it in the future.
Holder said that the programme aims to assist workers to deliver better health care and up to date record keeping ability, as well as to output information in a short time span.
The IT training for health workers stated in 2006, and is a continuous programme which aims to make every health worker computer literate. Thus far 28 batches, totalling 239 health personnel have been trained.