Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, said Thursday that there is an urgent need for more Medical Extension Officers (Medexes) to service the health sector and especially hinterland communities, where improved health care services are needed.
He made the statement during his address to the orientation class of the 2021-2025 medex programme at the Ministry of Health’s nursing annex in Kingston.
Some 36 students from mostly hinterland communities form the new batch.
“We really need you urgently in the workforce and urgently in the community…When we designed this programme, it was with the intention that we can get to every single community in our country, but to do that, we have to train more people and get them closer to where they need to serve,” Minister Anthony said.
Following the successful completion of the four-year programme, the new health officers will return to serve their respective communities.
Minister Anthony said his ministry will ensure that primary health care is improved across the country.
Director attached to the School of Nursing, University of Guyana, Rev. Dr. Noel Holder implored the students to work together, and continue serving their communities and the country as a whole.
The medex training programme is sponsored by the health ministry through the University of Guyana. Some 62 Medexes are currently serving across the 10 administrative regions. (Extracted and modified from the Department of Public Information.
