Quality healthcare being enhanced countrywide

The  Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Health Sciences Division on Tuesday officially launched the first batch of the Patient Care Assistant (PCA) Training Programme at the nursing school in Kingston, Georgetown. This new initiative is part of an ongoing effort to enhance the quality of healthcare services, nationwide.

Over the next four months, the PCA training programme aims to equip more than 100 individuals from Region Four with essential skills and knowledge in various aspects of patient care. This comprehensive training will cover critical areas such as patient safety, basic medical procedures, hygiene standards, and communication skills, all designed to ensure that individuals are well-prepared to provide compassionate and competent care to patients.

This programme has already been decentralised to multiple regions across the country, including Regions One, Three, Five, Seven and Nine. Decentralisation, the ministry said, has allowed a broader spectrum of participants from different parts of the nation to access the training. The Ministry of Health has also indicated plans to soon expand the programme to other regions as it seeks to broaden its reach and impact.

This initiative not only addresses the urgent need for skilled healthcare workers but also reinforces the government’s commitment to improving the healthcare infrastructure and ensuring quality patient care across the country. According to the Ministry of Health, the PCA programme is a critical step toward creating a more robust and sustainable healthcare workforce, particularly in light of the growing demand for healthcare professionals.