PAHO/MOH training programme targets medical professionals

May 27, 2018 News

Section of the participants in the training

A six-week training programme that focused on assessing and categorizing psychiatric patients was developed and commenced recently by the Ministry of Public Health in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organisation.

The programme also involved the Region Six Regional Democratic Council.

The programme will allow medical professionals to acquire the necessary skills to administer to the patients so as to allow a smooth reintegration process into society. It targets medical professionals from the National Psychiatric Hospital, health centres and hospitals across Region Six.

Mental Health Unit Director, Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Util Richmond-Thomas, noted that the training is expected to enable medical personnel “to see what skills they currently have and what the deficits are so we can customize a rehabilitation plan specific for that patient”.

Dr. Thomas explained when the patient is adequately assessed then it is expected that the patient will be ready, the reintegration process will then begin.

She said that during the training, participants will have a chance to experience an actual case, “We will go through the training using the tools provided by the Pan American Health Organisation, so they will have the capacity building with a real life scenario.”

Head of Regional Health Services in Berbice, Jevaughn Stephens, implored to his staff to embrace the challenge and “be receptive to the training as well as whatever is learned is used in their work environment everyday”.

It is his belief that mental health does not discriminate but everyone should put their best effort forward to eradicate the stigma. With over 200 patients at the National Psychiatric Hospital, Stephens said that it is the resilience of the staff at the institution that keeps it running smoothly.

The Director told those gathering that as of last week, there were 201 patients at the psychiatric hospital, while speaking highly of the “resilient staff” attached to the hospital.

The training will be conducted every Thursday for the next six weeks.