Sixty-four healthcare professionals from across the Caribbean have become certified after completing USAID-funded courses, allowing them to better contribute to the region’s health sector, according to a Ministry of Health press release.
On Friday evening, the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV/AIDS (PANCAP) hosted a certificate award ceremony at the Grand Coastal Hotel, East Coast Demerara for the healthcare providers and public health practitioners who had completed two courses in either Leadership and Management in Health, or Policy Development and Advocacy for Global Health, the release said. The courses were conducted online over a three-month period by the University of Washington, USA and are part of a capacity-building initiative funded by USAID.
Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony, who made remarks at the ceremony, congratulated the awardees and thanked PANCAP, USAID, and the University of Washington, for their assistance in organising the programme, the release said. He reminded the healthcare practitioners of the key role they play in delivering services to the people of the region. The release said Anthony iterated the ministry’s commitment to collaborate with external partners to provide training opportunities for workers in the public health sector.
He also urged those participants who are currently employed by the Ministry of Health to utilise and implement the strategies discussed during the courses which will aid in the transformation of their respective departments and have an overall benefit to the health sector. “We can only change and transform the ministry if all of you take on your role and practise things that you learn. Many of you are in positions where you can use this, put it into effect, and see something happen, see an impact and that’s what I urge all of you to do,” the release quoted him as saying.
Among the others in attendance at the ceremony were Chief Medical Officer Dr Narine Singh, Regional Health Officer of Region Four Dr Gavinash Persaud, Deputy Director of Regional Health Services Dr Veronica Griffith, and Knowledge Coordinator at PANCAP Dr Shanti Singh.
