FORTY-ONE newly trained Community Health Workers (CHWs) have graduated in Region 10, strengthening the pool of frontline health personnel available to provide basic healthcare, promote disease prevention and connect residents with the wider public health system.
Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, attended the recent graduation ceremony while on a visit to the region, where he congratulated the graduates on successfully completing their training.
The new CHWs have undergone training designed to equip them with the knowledge and practical skills required to provide essential health services within their communities.
In addressing the graduates, Anthony underscored the importance of their role in Guyana’s primary healthcare system, particularly in communities where CHWs often serve as the first point of contact between residents and formal health services.
He said the Government’s efforts to modernise and expand health infrastructure must be matched by investment in a competent and adequately trained workforce capable of delivering quality care.
The Minister urged the graduates to continue developing their knowledge and skills, noting that the healthcare sector is constantly evolving and requires workers to pursue ongoing learning and professional development.
Beyond basic healthcare delivery, the graduates will be expected to contribute to health promotion and disease prevention, maternal and child health, patient monitoring and the promotion of healthier lifestyles.
They will also be responsible for identifying residents who may require further medical attention and helping to connect them with appropriate health facilities and services.
Anthony urged the new CHWs to apply the knowledge gained during their training in their respective communities and workplaces, while carrying out their responsibilities with professionalism, empathy and respect.
The graduation forms part of the Ministry of Health’s wider efforts to strengthen human resources for health and expand access to primary healthcare, particularly for people living outside the main urban centres.
The Ministry said the continued training of frontline health workers is intended to ensure that citizens across Guyana’s 10 administrative regions can access essential healthcare services closer to home.
The initiative comes as the Government continues to invest in healthcare infrastructure while placing greater emphasis on strengthening the human resources needed to operate facilities and deliver services to communities.