Georgetown : In moving to ensure that the health system has an adequate complement of professionals, the Ministry of Health has made available clinical and technical training programmes which are open to youths from all over the country.
Most recently it has been recognised that a lot of youths from the hinterland regions are applying for medical training in the nursing and technical programmes.
Director, Regional Health Services, Dr. Narine Singh explained that 10 years ago only persons from the coast applied for the programmes but now more persons from the hinterland are showing interest. This can be attributed to the improved educational achievements of hinterland students who are able to meet the entry requirements of the Health Ministry.
Within the next month, a number of professional and assistant nurses, from the recently graduated batch, will be deployed to the hinterland with moist of them actually returning home.
These new nurses will aid in delivering care to the increased patient load and services at the district hospitals.
It is expected that in a few years equity of health care in the hinterland will improve and realise the Ministry’s goal of ensuring equitable distribution of health care throughout the country.
Meanwhile Coordinator, Indigenous Peoples Communities, Michael Gouveia stated that the Ministry is strengthening its supervisory visits to the hinterland regions so as to ensure that quality health care is delivered.
He explained that the Ministry now has a more collaborative working relationship with agencies including the Ministries of Amerindian Affairs, Local Government and Regional Development and Education, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and people in the communities so as to garner information early.
Gouveia indicated that the robust MEDIVAC programme is still on-going and provides the opportunity for critically ill patients to be air-dashed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Last year over 70 patients were air-lifted via 60 flights.
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