Community Health Workers for Regs. 7 & 8
−Expected to graduate in April
−Concluding training with six weeks preceptorship
DPI, Guyana, Friday, February 14, 2020
Twenty-five persons from Waipa in Potaro-Siparuni and Paruima in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni are currently undergoing a six-month Community Health Worker (CHW) training programme.
The programme which began on August 19, 2019, will end soon with the set to return to their villages and undergo preceptorship at the health facilities.
The areas of study include anatomy and physiology, a look at common illnesses, and maternal and child health.
The training coordinator Nurse Judy Rose explained that “by covering these, they were able to be placed in units and so they had the firsthand experience, being involved in clinical care. Right now, we are looking at first aid then we will be doing food and nutrition.”
Rose who has spent time with the trainees, noted that this batch was eager to return and serve their communities. “They will be very helpful in their respective communities and once they perform effectively, we will have a very good health system.”
Minister of Public Health, Hon. Volda Lawrence met the health workers during a stopover in Bartica where the training is being done.
She noted that the current batch of trainees represented an essential element in strengthening the primary healthcare system.
“You taking this opportunity here can help us to achieve so much of the other goals that we (the Ministry of Public Health) have set out.”
She also encouraged them to consider expanding their skills. “There are many opportunities in health, rather than you be a CHW all your life, you can go on to become a nurse, become a doctor, a specialist.”
The health minister also outlined the vision of the government to establish a modern health sector throughout Guyana.
Note: Preceptorship – A period of practical experience and training for a student, especially of medicine or nursing, that is supervised by an expert or specialist in a particular field.