Twenty-eight persons from the 10 administrative regions, excepting Regions Four and Five, are pursuing a medical training programme for health care providers.
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) release, Regions Four and Five have the full complement of health care providers at the various institutions.
The persons who are commencing medical training are expected to provide care in their respective communities, particularly in the remote areas.
The CHW (community health workers) training programme is the first step of medical training in Guyana and presents the opportunity for professional progression in the medical field, Minister in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran said in an address to the trainees gathered at the West Demerara Regional Hospital, Region Three.
He noted that most of the trainees were selected from areas where there is limited health infrastructure and manpower hence they are critical to the health care system. They will be able to identify health issues and report them in a timely manner to ensure adequate care is delivered.
The CHWs will be receiving specific skills and knowledge that would enable them to drive the delivery of care in the primary health care system, much like the Medex.
The CHWs will be residing at a hostel in the compound of the West Demerara Regional Hospital and will also be receiving their training in the same facility, GINA stated.
In this regard, Minister Ramsaran urged them to display acceptable behaviour which if disregarded will result in the ministry taking disciplinary actions. A house mother was employed to give guidance to the trainees.
Meanwhile, apart from the CHW training programme, Minister Ramsaran noted that another intake of nurses is expected to commence their studies by the end of October while the other technician programmes will also commence shortly.
Head of the Training Department in the Ministry of Health, Noel Holder applauded the trainees for taking up the challenge of pursuing medical training that will aid the sustainability of health care throughout Guyana.
Several of the CHWs indicated their desire to serve their communities particularly since there is a need for more health care providers, the release concluded.
