Health Minister slams Norton’s ‘vindictive lies’ on Charles Roza Nursing School

…says 379 students enrolled in Linden facility

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony, on Monday clarified that over 370 persons are currently enrolled at the Charles Rosa School of Nursing, in Linden Region 10, as he refuted earlier claims by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Presidential Candidate, Aubrey Norton, that the school has been closed down.
While speaking at an APNU Rally in the mining town on Sunday, Norton told attendees that the current People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Administration had shuttered the school, and questioned the PPP’s love for the town, labelling the move as “vindictive and wicked”.
However, while speaking at the opening of the new West Coast Demerara (WCD) De Kinderen Hospital on Monday, Dr Frank Anthony addressed the issue explaining that not only is the school still open but it has been expanded to increase the intake.
“I want to say that indeed the PPP/C does love the people of Linden and we love them so much that we have expanded the intake of the Charles Rosa school because we currently have 379 students in that school, and the only person who is vindictive and wicked is a man who is capable of standing on a political platform and trying to lie to the people of Linden,” Dr Anthony said.
According to Dr Anthony, if Norton truly wants to see who has been “vindictive and wicked” to the people of Linden, he would need to check on the APNU’s track record from its time in Government from 2015 – 2020.
“Perhaps he should have used the time to explain why the APNU took away “Because We Care” grant from so many children in the country. That is the definition of vindictive and wicked,” Dr Anthony remarked.
“Perhaps he can also explain why the APNU took away the electricity and water subsidies from the pensioners in the country. That is vindictive and that is wicked. Or perhaps he can explain why the APNU took away the 7000 sugar workers’ jobs. That is wicked and vindictive. I can go down a long list because they have an assorted history and legacy that they have left the Guyanese people. If he can lie about a nursing school that currently has 379 students enrolled, what else would he not lie about? Can we trust him? And this is the nature of the people we are dealing with.”
Political parties are currently holding campaigns across the country in the lead up to the September 1 General and Regional Elections. As such, citizens are looking closely at the track records of the various parties and individuals in them, as they decide on who they will be voting for at the start of next month.
“We will not let Norton’s lies derail us… we will continue the training, continue developing, continue the progress in our country, in every facility across our country. That is the philosophy of the President of our country and the philosophy of the People’s Progressive Party Civic,” Dr Anthony said.
Located in the compound of the Mackenzie Hospital, the Charles Roza School of Nursing in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara–Upper Berbice), is a public nursing training institution founded in 1959 by Dr Charles Roza.
The school remains operational with a shift towards a hybrid learning model, combining remote coursework with hands-on practical training and simulations.
In early 2024, the school unveiled a Simulation Clinical Skills Lab at the Linden Hospital Complex to strengthen practical training. Equipped with advanced manikins and enhanced through curriculum upgrades in collaboration with the University of São Paulo and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), the lab aims to improve clinical readiness and hands-on experience.