The University of Guyana’s College of Medical Sciences (CMS), on Tuesday launched its Bachelor of Science in Mental Health Nursing Programme.
A release from the university said that the programme was conceptualised and is being implemented out of UG’s desire to raise awareness and find solutions to the various mental health issues confronting Guyana and the Caribbean region.
The release said that the programme was made possible with support from the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) through Dr. William Adu-Krow, former PAHO/WHO Representative in Guyana, St Joseph University and the Ministry of Health.
The programme was launched virtually under the theme; “Maximising the Role of Psychiatric Patient Care Practitioners.”
Dr. Emanuel Cummings, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic Engagement, who has been instrumental in the development of the Mental Health Nursing programme, in his remarks stated: “As a University, we consider mental health as an important aspect, long before Covid, Covid has added more issues to the needs of mental health. But as a society, there are lots of issues; substance abuse, domestic violence and all those things where there is a need for counselling in our society, where we don’t have enough doctors.”
He also posited that nurses have always been the majority of healthcare workers and the new programme by itself will create an opportunity even as the Government thinks in terms of reducing institutionalised treatment for persons that need this kind of service. He added that his wish is to see a mental health nurse located in each one of the primary health care facilities across the country.
“This programme is indeed a prize, it’s a gift, that the University is giving to this country. This country needs mental health nursing to complement with the training we started in psychiatry not so long ago. And to make the whole aspect of attending to mental health more, not only affordable but accessible to the vulnerable population,” said Dr. Cummings.
According to the release, Dr. Noel Holder, a representative of the Guyana School of Nursing, provided a brief background that led to the development of the programme and recognised those who contributed to helping it come to fruition. He provided statistics that supported the necessity of such a programme at the university level.
“It is a pleasure to be a part of this historic launch of the Bachelor of Science Degree in Mental Health Nursing. We have gone through this process for several years. Today, we have a document that we are ready to launch, a document that went through the policy committee and the academic board and they would have all given it their blessings. We hope that as we initiate this conversation that it will foster human interest in addressing mental health issues in the spaces in Guyana.”
