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THE Ministry of Health has achieved another milestone in its mission to strengthen Guyana’s primary healthcare system with the graduation of 22 Community Health Workers (CHWs) from Region Seven (Cuyuni – Mazaruni). The new graduates completed a six-month training programme under the Health Sciences Division’s decentralised training initiative. They hail from communities across Cashew Island, Upper and Middle Mazaruni, and will now return to serve within their own villages—bringing essential health services closer to residents in remote hinterland areas. The graduation ceremony, held at the Bartica Centre Ground, was attended by Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, and Director General of the Ministry, Dr Vishwa Mahadeo, along with regional officials, residents, and other stakeholders. In his address, Minister Anthony underscored the importance of training community members to serve their own populations. “We decided to work with communities to identify and train local people who will return home to serve their own areas. This approach has proven far more effective,” Dr Anthony stated. The Minister said the initiative forms part of the Ministry’s wider goal to ensure that every health facility across Guyana is staffed with at least one or two trained Community Health Workers. Encouraging the graduates to see their achievement as a stepping stone, Dr Anthony said, “Don’t see this as the end of the road. We want to provide opportunities for you to advance, from Community Health Worker to Nursing Assistant, Registered Nurse, and even into specialised areas such as Midwifery and Medical Extension (Medex).” He also highlighted the government’s commitment to continuous professional development, noting that the Ministry has expanded training opportunities through hybrid and online models that allow health workers in far-flung regions to upgrade their skills without leaving their communities. Among the graduates was Raius Leonard, who expressed joy and pride at completing the programme. “I feel very honoured to be graduating now that all the hard work has paid off,” Leonard said. Another graduate, Lucia Kalika, shared her experience overcoming the challenges of training in a remote region. “It was challenging sometimes, like waking up early and crossing the river every day, but I am very proud of myself today,” she said. The Ministry of Health’s decentralised training initiative continues to expand access to healthcare in hinterland and riverine communities by ensuring residents are cared for by qualified personnel who understand their unique needs and challenges. The graduation ceremony also saw the attendance of Bartica Mayor Anthony Murray, Regional Health Officer Dr Edward Sagala, Senior Operations Manager, Michael Gouveia and other regional representatives. This latest batch of Community Health Workers represents the third cohort trained under the Region Seven programme, reinforcing the government’s long-term vision of universal, equitable, and community-driven healthcare delivery across Guyana.
