First-ever Medex of Handsome Tree, Mahaica River in charge of two health centres in the community

VISHNARINE Ghanshiam was at home assisting his father in farming when he had a major shift in his life and a breakthrough in his career path — he was asked to join the Medex programme.

He explained that he was unemployed and at home, not doing much except farming with his father, when the village nurse asked him to join the Medex programme. He applied and was successful. From there, his journey began with a four-year programme in the medical profession. He is now the first in his family to become a Medex, and the first for his village.

He reported that it all came down to the village nurse looking for a suitable applicant to apply for the Medex programme; he was qualified, making the process easier. Ghanshiam said he received his secondary education at Cove and John and graduated with 11 subjects. He endured many hardships, being from the Mahaica River, where the commute was either by boat or road.

Initially, he wanted to attend the University of Guyana (UG), but travelling was not easy for him, so he gave up on that thought and stayed at home, assisting his family with farming. As a countryside resident, his family is invested in rice and cash crop cultivation, and he stayed home to do that since employment opportunities were scarce.

Ghanshiam told the Pepperpot Magazine that, after he wrote the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate Examination, he enrolled for computer classes at Global Technology, where he was successful, and went on to work at an internet café in Mahaica, East Coast Demerara. But that small business caved during the pandemic and was one of many that did not survive COVID-19.

He added that he was at home thereafter and, in 2021, after he learnt of the Medex programme being offered by the government, he applied and was successful. Ghanshiam said he gave it his all. It was an amazing journey—although not easy—made possible by the support he received from the staff, his colleagues and, altogether, hard work and dedication.

He was, however, convinced after completing and graduating from the Medex programme—and becoming a qualified Medex—that it was his purpose in life. It felt good; he felt he was fulfilling a dream.

The new Medex reported that living and working in the same village is ideal for him because he is familiar with the people and the logistics of the place. In his village, there are two health facilities—the Lakeville and Big Biaboo Health Centres—which he will manage, along with the existing support staff.

Handsome Tree Village is one of five villages in Mahaica River, a riverine community which comprises No. 10, Flora Garden, Handsome Tree, Big and Little Biaboo, and Grass Hook.

The population is just about 1,000, mostly farmers, and Ghanshiam will have to cover all the villages as the resident Medex. Ghanshiam disclosed that his focus is awareness in primary healthcare—vaccination; village, school and community outreaches to educate all on safety practices in health; and healthy lifestyles—since it is a farming community where many chemicals are utilised for agricultural purposes. He will also emphasise preventive measures in general healthcare.

He noted that he was among a class of 35 students, but only 29 graduated. One student passed away before the graduation, but was honoured; he was from a remote village in Guyana.

Ghanshiam said that if it weren’t for the support of the community, he would not have been successful, and for that, he is grateful that the village, his family, and others stood by him during his four years of study.

The network of support helped him to focus on his studies. He stayed at his aunt’s house in Enterprise Village, also on the East Coast Demerara, and endured the daily commute via public transportation.

He pointed out that after a two-week break, he will start his internship at Mahaicony Hospital for six weeks. After that, he will be the permanent Medex of the Mahaica River.

“The feeling is good. I am happy to serve my people, the community, and doing it in my village is also a blessing. I am looking forward to being the Medex and serving my purpose,” he said.

Ghanshiam is the eldest of two siblings. His sister is a third-year medical student at UG, and his cousin is a doctor.