Georgetown : Controversy continues to surround the failure on the part of the University of Guyana to resolve issues as it relates to the offering of a number of programmes in the Faculty of Health Sciences. Among the programmes that are hanging in the balance are the Optometry, Rehabilitation Sciences and Pharmacy programmes, which according to a senior functionary at the University “is a major concern for health care delivery and no one seems to care especially for Pharmacy.”
There are reports that persons within the University are opposed to the addition of programmes in the Health Sciences Faculty while new programmes are added to other Faculties unopposed. “It has become a personality issue with persons’ feelings clashing. People are getting personal because they feel that Health Sciences is introducing too many programmes,” an official told this publication. “…It is sheer stupidity to put a halt to these important programmes.”
This newspaper was reliably informed that there are several persons who have been requesting to undertake the programmes but due to the indecision to define a fee structure the programmes cannot be offered at the moment. “Students have been calling and requesting this programme…what is going to happen to these young people, they want to do these programmes but they are not being given the opportunity,” the official opined.
Reports from University officials suggest that there was a conflict in terms of the fee which the University had programmed for, and the fee which was approved by the government. As a result it was revealed that the matter must first be taken to Cabinet before a final decision is made. However, based on information reaching this newspaper the matter has not yet been addressed at the level of Cabinet. Efforts to contact Minister of Health, Dr Bheri Ramsaran yesterday to comment on the issue proved futile as he was reportedly engaged in a meeting.
Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Dr Emanuel Cummings, in January made an earnest appeal to Pro Chancellor of the University, Professor Prem Misir, to help push for the recommencement of the Optometry Programme at the institution. His appeal was made during a farewell ceremony to mark the completion of an eye care mission between Guyana and the University of the West Indies.
Directing his concerns to the Pro Chancellor, Dr Cummings said that “I would wish that whatever has to be done will be done quickly so that this programme could be re-advertised and get going again because we consider this programme very close to our hearts and this is important as any other programme.”
It was two years ago that Registrar of the University, Mr. Vincent Alexander, had revealed that the University was poised to introduce three new medical programmes for the 2010/2011 academic year. These were the Degree in Pharmacy as well as Bachelor of Science Degree in Optometry and Rehabilitation Sciences. He said that despite the fiscal challenges being faced by the institution, the need to keep up with the changing demands of industry required adaptation by the University.
The Degree in Pharmacy had become essential in light of the fact that the Caribbean Association of Pharmacists issued a call throughout the Region to up the minimum qualifications required to dispense pharmaceuticals. Previously, the industry allowed students with an Associate Degree in Pharmacy to work as a Pharmacist. However, the need for stricter standards in the dispensation of drugs dictated the need for more in-depth training. This requirement is being fueled by the rise in drug dependence and abuse through controlled substances as well as illicit narcotics.
The Optometry Programme on the other hand is being viewed as one of the more sought after programmes in the Faculty of Health Sciences despite the existing challenges, according to the Dean. According to him both the Bachelor’s of Science and the Associate Degree in Optometry programmes, had seen overwhelming responses.
In recognition of the fact that it attracted no more than 10 students in its introductory year, the University of Guyana had streamlined plans to review its Rehabilitation Sciences Degree Programme. According to Dr. Cummings, from all indications the offering of the programme was plagued with a number of challenges ranging from the unavailability of Government loans, the way it was promoted to the fact that several persons were unable to secure time to attend lecture sessions. The latter problem, he said, was rooted in the fact that the programme was mainly intended to attract persons already working in the area of Rehabilitation Services within the health sector. Additionally, he revealed that he has since indicated to the University that the name of the programme should be advertised as Physiotherapy rather than Rehabilitation Sciences. He explained though that Rehabilitation Sciences encompasses three areas – physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy.
According to him, Physiotherapy is in fact the aspect of Rehabilitation Sciences that should be placed in the forefront. “I think that the public would be better able to relate to Physiotherapy rather than Rehabilitation Sciences. “I have already indicated this to the University because I think we will have to do some career guidance as it relates to this programme,” he added.
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