Health Ministry trains Medex students in computer literacy
Kaieteur News
March 4, 2007
The Ministry of Health has commenced computer training for a second batch of Medex students.
According to Minister in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsarran, the first batch of Medex students to benefit from such training completed their classes late last year. The current classes commenced on March 1 and cater for 14 Medex students from all 10 Administrative Regions of Guyana.
Minister Ramsarran was instrumental in the introduction in 2006 of the remedial computer classes for Medex students without previous exposure to computers.
He said that his main aim is to create an environment within the Ministry and at all levels of the health sector where all operatives will be computer literate and have access to continuous medical training.
They would also have information access that is simple, integrated, reliable, secure, remotely available and manageable.
The Minister explained that each step of this technology strategy is a building block, which must be taken seriously and will take some time, requiring the support and commitment of every health worker who in the evolving circumstances will depend more and more on computers to perform their duties.
According to Minister Ramsarran, like many organisations, the Ministry faces the challenge of balancing the need to provide current and effective technology with a limited pool of fiscal resources.
The current effort which is being spearheaded by Minister Ramsarran aims to complement the government's often stated goal of making all public service employees computer literate.
Computer training for the fist batch of students commenced on September 11, 2006, and concluded on November 3, 2006.
The six-week module consisted of courses such as introduction to computers, managing files, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Electronic Communication (Internet).
Fourteen Medex students from various regions, who had no previous knowledge of the computer, were trained and successfully completed the six-week, intensive course which acted as a remedial course. Several of the students now access Virtual Health Libraries (VHL) to engage in research and continuous educational activities.
The VHL were gifts from PAHO to the Ministry of Health. Dr. Ramsarran noted that without the computer skills that his Ministry is providing the Medex students they would not have been able to benefit from this valuable and easily accessible resource. The training for the second batch of students will conclude April 13.
This would see another 14 students from the Administrative Regions, except Regions Four and Five, benefiting.
This newspaper understands that this training is being conducted under the guidance of Mrs. Drupattie Miller at the Ministry of Health's Regional Health Services Office in Brickdam.