Some members of the Joint Services and health care providers have been trained to better assist persons in need of emergency health care assistance.
The training was delivered to 29 persons who took part in the pilot Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Programme that was conducted by the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).
A graduation ceremony was held yesterday for participants at the GPHC Resources Centre.
The programme, which was supported by the Morris Foundation and the Ministry of Health, began on October 7 and was completed earlier this week. It saw the graduates undergo some 136 hours, which included eight hours per day, Monday through Friday of clinical and theoretical training, including in Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and how to react promptly and professionally in time of need.
Minister of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, in his remarks at the ceremony, congratulated the graduates and related that they have embarked on a journey that would now pave the way for more interested persons who wish to be part of the health care system. He also said that the reason for the programme is to get every aspect of Guyanese service to be health-service oriented, so that in times of need, citizens can turn to a member of the Police Force, Fire Service or the army who will have some knowledge of providing care and assistance.
Head of Department of the GPHC’s Accident and Emergency Unit Dr. Zulfikar Bux related that since Guyana didn’t have an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) response unit, the GPHC needed to fill the gap. He said that the initiative was launched earlier this year and GPHC, the Ministry of Health, the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Police Force along with other health care providers are working closely together to make it a success
The graduates are: Shonette Austin, Isaam Barker, Delroy Braith-waite, Amanda Brown, Garfield Campbell, Nikkita Chetram, Latoya Collins, Lamelyn Cort, Dhanesh-war Bharrat, Syon Ferreira, Colin France, Karis Fritz, Tito Grant, Jason Lambert, Oswald Harris, Howard Henry, Orin Hinds, Sasha Hinds, Trevor Holder, Woletta Hopkinson, Keioma Livan, Shaquille Patrick, Joseph Prescott, Tiffany Sancho, Trevor Simmons, Leelawattie Singh, Oscarin Walters, Nathia Weeks and Delecia Wilson.
