Regional Health System receives another boost
Source: Georgetown, GINA, December 21, 2006

AS Guyana continues to work strenuously to fight against HIV/AIDS, the World AIDS Day Rally yesterday was held at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Homestretch Avenue.

Fourteen more Community Health Workers (CHWs) will be joining the Regional health system, complementing a batch of 37 who graduated earlier this month in Moruca, Region One.

Community Health Workers pose with Minister in the Ministry of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsarran, Stephanie Brunet of the Canadian Society for International Health and other health officials

Government is spending millions of dollars annually to train hundreds of health personnel and they have contributed significantly to the successes of the health sector, Minister in the Ministry of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsarran told the graduating class today. Speaking at the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) Programme Support Unit, Main and New Markets Streets, Minister Ramsarran said the three-month training programme which focused specifically on Tuberculosis prevention commenced in July this year and is a collaborative effort between the Health Services Education department of the Ministry of Health and the Canadian Society for International Health.

The Minister pointed out that it is essential that health professionals are dedicated and committed to their job and he reassured the gathering that the government will continue to work with its international and local partners to strengthen health care delivery and develop the local health system.

According to Programme Coordinator, Wilton Benn, the course is a special one done under the criteria outlined by the Public Service Ministry.

He advised graduates that this should be seen as a new beginning for each of them and they should extend respect and dignity to persons with whom they deal.

According to Project Manager of the Canadian Society for International Health, Stephanie Brunet, the Canadian Government is extremely pleased to collaborate with the Guyana Government on this special project. She said that during her time here, she observed government’s commitment to the fight against Tuberculosis and the considerable amount of resources dedicated to this fight.