MOU signed to advance medical education in Guyana

− committee formed to review training policy

A tripartite agreement for the advancement of medical education in Guyana has been signed between the University of Guyana (UG), the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and Ministry of Health.

A nine-member committee has been set up to continuously review the policy regarding clinical training of medical students and other areas.

“The joint committee that was mentioned by the CEO … would now have to meet now on a regular basis and move this process forward … The three of us here CEO, myself and Vice Chancellor, we would be monitoring the process of what the joint committee will be doing … periodically we want to have reports and updates on the progress of this MOU,” Health Minister, Hon. Frank Anthony stated.

The agreement also ensures the university’s medical programme retains its accreditation.

“When I became Minister, I was approached by both the University of Guyana and GPHC for us to start working on this MOU, and I was just wondering what was the rush, and they said to me this is very important, if we are going to maintain our accreditation for the University of Guyana medical programme, and so a team was put together that comprises persons from the University, persons from GPHC and the Ministry, and they set about working very steadfastly for us to have this agreement.”

Minister Anthony said the group also engaged the Attorney General’s Chambers for assistance with the legal drafting of the agreement.

Medical school comprises a classroom and clinical component, with the latter to be done at an accredited institution. The GPHC is that institution for UG medical students.

Meanwhile, Dr. Anthony described the signing as a move in the right direction.

“I see this as a stepping stone, as we move forward in terms of doing more for medical education and maybe this might be one of many agreements that we will have with the University of Guyana. Apart from doctor’s education we want to look at nurses and other categories of medical personnel, and I think this would give us a good template on which to work with the university.”

The MOU was signed by Minister Anthony, CEO of GPHC, Brigadier (ret’d) George Lewis and UG’s Vice- Chancellor, Dr. Paloma Mohamed.