The Ministry of Health says seven medical professionals have completed two online public health training courses aimed at boosting their skills in their respective disciplines, made available through the Pan American Health/World Health Organisation’s (PAHO/WHO) virtual campus.
The ministry said the courses were organised as part of its thrust to ensure that health professionals upgrade their skills set and capacity within their respective disciplines.
On Wednesday, PAHO/WHO hosted a simple presentation ceremony for Tabitha Mallampati, Melissa R. Ramdeen, Lois Stephanas, Owen John and Dr Narine Singh who completed the Renewal of Primary Health Care course through its Virtual Campus for Public Health Online Courses, a report from the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.
Doctors Emmanuel Cummings and Vishwa Mahadeo completed the Leaders in International Health Programme.
According to the participants, while the courses were challenging they gained a new perspective of the primary health care system, and apart from that, they realised that the Guyanese health system is similar to that of many other countries.
Minister of Health, Dr Bheri Ramsaran indicated that these programmes widen interest and understanding in matters beyond bodily health, while reiterating the ministry’s continuing education drive. The minister pointed out that there is currently a big push for the use of virtual libraries at the Georgetown and Charles Roza schools of nursing, which entails the dismantling of libraries and transforming them into resource centres.
Dr Ramsaran said some of the books at the Georgetown Nursing School are over 30-years-old and while there will be criticisms levelled about the use of such old books, virtual learning is being encouraged since there is now more access to technology.
PAHO has given support in this regard by providing computers and access to online journals to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation’s (GPHC) library. The minister said all the computers in the GPHC library are fully operational and the ministry will be installing additional systems. Students will also be able to access the internet via hotspots. Additionally, the GPHC’s medical science library has been instructed to extend its opening to 1am to allow more access.
PAHO/WHO Country Representative Dr Beverley Barnett, in her remarks, emphasised that primary health care is critical for effective health services and systems. It is no longer considered to be just services offered at health centres but encompasses the provision of basic health services with equity and in the framework of a referral system that works well.
She explained that it is known that there are going to be issues that cannot be handled totally at the primary centres which cater mostly for prevention and treatment but, there will be patients who will need more complex forms of care.
Dr Barnett said she was satisfied that there are now more Guyanese who are versed in these issues and that there is an increase in the number of persons accessing the Leaders in International Health programme due to the interconnectivity of territories.
Health Systems and Services Advisor Dr Javier Uribe noted that completion of the programmes is a good boost for the future’s human capital, since there is now a stock of more knowledge and skills required for the development of the primary health care system. He also noted that many developed countries have strong primary health care systems and expressed hope that in future more health care professionals can pursue the online programmes provided by PAHO/WHO.
