Government has expressed concern over the level of investment made in the health sector as it relates to patient satisfaction.
According to the Government Information Agency (GINA), Health Minister Dr Bheri Ramsaran stated on Saturday evening while addressing graduates of the Guyana Nursing Association and the University of Guyana’s Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing programme at the Regency Suites on Hadfield Street, that the government is concerned over the level of investment made in the sector, especially with regards to training and whether there was commensurate patient satisfaction.
Ramsaran told the nine graduates of the programme that he was in high spirits as regards the graduation. He said that the graduates can be role models to those in the health system, adding that they could make a difference in the quality of nurses which the ministry trains. He asked the graduates not to isolate themselves with their qualification but rather to use their knowledge to assist in guiding and creating better core nursing staff from new nursing students.
Dr Emmanuel Cummings, Dean of the Health Sciences faculty of UG, stated that the faculty was proud of the programme and that it is committed to supporting developments made to the course. Dr Cummings said several programmes have been introduced to supplement and advance training of local health personnel, inclusive of dental and general surgeon training. Soon significant emphasis will be placed on curriculum development.
He said that soon the university plans to have all its programmes accredited to ensure that the quality of health care training received at the institution is equivalent to those offered among institutions in the Caribbean and the world at large.
According to GINA, the nursing degree programme has made significant strides over the years having had its curriculum reviewed and approved in line with the curriculum of the regional bachelor’s degree nursing programme offered at the University of the West Indies.
The two-year programme is designed to build on the knowledge and competency that the registered nurses acquire during their three- year diploma programme.
The BSC nursing programme commenced in 2002.
