– Minister Ramsaran
THE Health Ministry considers itself to be a learning institution providing training programmes for both professionals and non-professionals; to ensure a well equipped workforce to provide health care services. In keeping with this thrust, the Administration has allotted $345M for training activities in 2011, which will provide for 250 more professional nurses and 140 clinical and technical staff being trained.    
The Health Ministry hosted an induction seminar for 105 youths at the Georgetown School of Nursing Annex, Fort Street, Kingston who will, on March 1, be commencing their studies in the pharmacy assistant, environmental health assistant, medical laboratory technicians and x-ray technician programmes.
Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, while interacting with the students and their parents, highlighted the Administration’s investment in training activities in the health sector. He pointed out that the Ministry has a total of 10 training programmes, besides the nursing and doctors’ programmes and those commencing on March 1.
The other training programmes include community health worker (CHW), the alternative medex programme, medex, rehabilitation assistant, audiological practitioner, dentex, community dental therapist, dental assistant, single trained/rural mid-wife, professional nurse, nurse assistant and refractionist.
Dr. Ramsaran emphasised that the various programmes ensure the doctors and nurses have sufficient and effective support in the delivery of health care services.
He added that the programmes will be delivered well and urged the students to be open in airing their concerns. Further, computer training will be introduced in the technician and nursing programmes. Dr. Ramsaran made reference to the 239 medical professionals who have culminated their tenure and the 35 who have recently commenced theirs.
He explained that the Health Ministry has partnered with the Education Ministry, which will be facilitating the course at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD). The introduction of basic computer training is in keeping with the national technological thrust.
Dr. Ramsaran indicated that the available training programmes allow the Administration to keep its commitment to create jobs.
During Tuesday’s orientation, the students were able to interact with their respective programme coordinators while they were encouraged to adhere to the rules outlined in the policy book by Director of the Health Sciences Education Division, Mr. Noel Holder. (GINA)
PHOTO saved in Graphics file as: Bheri Training
CAPTION:  Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, interacting with students and parents at the orientation for the medical programmes on Tuesday last.