training programme in Berbice. At the formal ceremony held at Regional Health Services in New Amsterdam, the graduating batch, according Matron Harriet Bailey, exceeded expectations and were able to secure a 100 per cent pass rate.

Facilitated by the health sciences education unit of the Ministry of Health, the programme ran for some four months. Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, encouraged the graduating class to seek to advance even beyond PCA. He explained that the structure within the health system allows for them to transition to different levels, including nursing assistants, registered nurses, and even nurses with specialties. Pursuing this, he said, would allow for them to upskill themselves.

“Today you begin your journey in healthcare, and yes, we would like to see some of you, once you put the work in, some of you are going to be the future matrons, and some of you are going to be the future directors, and so forth, but nothing would happen unless you put the work in,” the minister advised. He heaped commendations on the graduates for not only their perseverance in the completion of the programme, but also for achieving a 100 per cent perfect pass as a collective.

Minister Anthony assured the young grouping that government will create an enabling environment for them to meet their full potential, especially in this particular field. “Right now we are opening up a lot of opportunities so that anybody who wants to get into health can get those opportunities,” he said, highlighting that government has already made tangible investments in the country’s health system. The minister urged them to explore the prospects available in the healthcare system, which would lend to better personal economic standing. Their career journey, he said, should “move from PCA to a nursing assistant, and then from a nursing assistant, we want you to become a registered nurse. And some of you who are registered nurses, we want to offer you a career where you could become a midwife.” (Kaieteur News)