The Ministry of Health said a significant number of professional and assistant nurses who graduated recently will be heading back to the hinterland areas to serve within the next month.
Director, Regional Health Services Dr Narine Singh said that 10 years ago only persons from the coast pursued studies in the medical field but improved access to education has allowed youths from indigenous communities to meet the ministry’s entry requirements.
As such, most persons from the batch of nurses that will be deployed to hinterland district hospitals will actually be going home, a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release said.
The new nurses will boost the services offered at these hospitals as they have had an increase in patient load and services. In addition, the ministry expects that within a few years health care offered in the hinterland will be equitable to what is offered on the coast.
According to GINA, Coordinator, Indigenous Peoples Communities, Michael Gouveia, said the ministry is strengthening its supervisory visits to the hinterland regions in order to ensure that quality health care is delivered. He explained that the ministry now has a more collaborative working relationship with agencies including the Amerindian Affairs, Local Government and Regional Development and Education ministries, the Environmental Protection Agency and residents which informs its programmes and services.
Gouveia noted that the robust Medivac programme is still ongoing and provides the opportunity for critically ill patients to be air-dashed to the Georgetown Public Hospital. Last year over 70 patients were air-lifted via 60 flights.
