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Nine GPHC’s staffers complete sign language course
In an effort to get persons who are hearing impaired or mute to more effectively interact with staffers, nine workers from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) yesterday graduated from the health institution’s first sign language course.
According to Nicolas Corbin, Training and Development Manager at the hospital, the Guyana Deaf Mission has submitted a proposal for the training of hospital staffers to interact with the deaf and the mute.
Corbin added that research has shown that when a deaf or mute person visits the hospital, the communication level is poor and the quality of service offered to that person is not so good.
Sitting from left: Michael Khan (left) Guyana Deaf Mission president Lawrence Hallahan, Nicolas Corbin and Yolanda Renville, pose with the staffers who completed the course
With that in mind, he said that representatives from the hospital have decided to have persons from different areas at the hospital trained in sign language.
Those who completed the course are Chetram Bux, Keisha Cush, Vanessa Jerome, Franciela-ann Johnson, Valerie Martin, Nirmala Nanan, Elizabeth O’Brien, Trevena Quintas and Rabindra Surudin.
“For me it was a very important workshop and very significant to the hospital. At the hospital we have various types of patients, including the mute and those who are hearing impaired, so in this case, the sign language workshop will be beneficial,” Rabindra Surudin stressed.
He added that he has learnt a lot of sign language which will enable him to better communicate with the deaf and mute communities.
Lawrence Hallahan, president from the Guyana Deaf Mission and a tutor to the graduates said that, “deaf people grew up with very low expectation and even their schooling is limited.”
“This workshop began as a work that will be continued. Learning the language of another culture group is another step to encourage their own improvement,” Hallahan said.
Michael Khan, Chief Executive Officer at the GPHC said that he is very proud that his staffers have been trained in sign language.
“We would not encourage persons calling out for ‘Deaf boy’ or ‘dumb girl’ in the hospital compound, because each person has dignity and we have to respect what they are, because we do not have control of how they are born,” Khan emphasised.
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