104 Patient Care Assistants for Reg 6.
DPI, Guyana, Friday, December 20, 2019
One hundred and four East Berbice-Corentyne students have graduated from a six-month Patient Care Assistance (PCA) programme.
A section of the Region Six Patient Care Assistants at their graduation
The course which was facilitated by the Regional Health Services Department exposed the students to anatomy, clinical skills, practical skills, bed making, and physical and hygiene care for patients.
Among the graduates were two mothers Oceana McBean-Clark and Pamela Jonas.
McBean-Clark related that she was job hunting when she learnt about the PCA programme and immediately enrolled. According to the newly certified PCA, her new qualifications will see her employed and supporting her husband to provide for their family.
Jonas said having to care for the well-being of a close relative was the impetus to sign up for the programme, which she did five times until she was accepted
For their colleague Mark Hinds, who was experiencing difficulties landing a job, the PCA course is the path to a whole new career.
In brief remarks at the graduation ceremony, programme coordinator, Donette Mingo explained that the PCA training began in June and ended this month. Classes were divided into two sessions per day to ensure the students received quality tutoring.
The Director of Regional Health Services Region Six, Jevaughn Andrew-Stephen, said the Ministry of Public Health will continue to expand and improve the delivery of its health care services. He congratulated the graduates and charged them to set the example for the next batch of potential PCAs.