Region 10 nursing programme paused to fix discriminatory intake

The Health Ministry on Wednesday announced a temporary halt of Batch #66 and Class 17 of the nursing programme at the Charles Roza Nursing School in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), over concerns of “structural discrimination” of trainees.
In a statement, the Ministry explained that the taxpayer-funded nursing school was intended to train all eligible Guyanese pursing a nursing career, but most of its intake has been persons from Region 10, and this is heavily discriminating against persons from other hinterland regions who are desirous of being trained in the field.

“Unfortunately, over the years, the school has trained persons mostly from Region 10, while persons from other regions, such as One (Barima-Waini); Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) were given nominal placements,” the missive detailed.
According to the Health Ministry, in 2018 there were intakes of two batches of Professional Nursing students, Batch #64 and Batch #65. With Batch #64, there was an intake of 36 students for the Professional Nursing Programme, with 29 students from Region 10. All students from this Batch will be graduating in 2021.
With Batch #65, there were 27 Professional Nursing students, with 22 students again from Region 10. This Batch will be graduating in 2022. Between these two batches, an additional 51 nurses will be added to the staff of the Upper Demerara-Berbice region.
However, the Health Ministry pointed out that a recent review of nursing personnel for all regions shows that Region 10 is the only region with an excess of 233 registered nurses and 106 registered nursing assistants. At the same time, it noted that all other regions have deficits for trained nursing staff.
“Many of the regions with deficit staff have identified eligible students for training at the Charles Roza Nursing School. However, these students were excluded once again. Of an intake for Batch # 66, of 34 students, 24 are from Region 10. And for Registered Nursing Assistants (RNA), Class 17, which has an intake of 33 students, 21 are from Region 10. These two programmes, Batch #66 and Class 17, have been temporarily suspended to ensure that the intake of students reflects the Regions where the Ministry of Health (MOH) have the greatest need for nurses,” Wednesday’s statement outlined.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Opposition APNU+AFC Coalition, in a statement, called the suspension “reckless” and said the PPP/C Government is jeopardising the delivery of quality healthcare in hinterland regions.
“The mandate of the school is to train health personnel from Regions 1, 7, 8 and 9 to deliver quality and reliable healthcare to the populace. The decision by the PPP regime is unconscionable and jeopardises the health of the Guyanese people and impairs the efficient delivery of health care services, particularly in our hinterland regions and to our beloved indigenous peoples,” the Opposition contended.
In response, however, the Ministry of Health criticised the APNU+AFC Coalition for peddling misinformation and further seeking to politicise the situation.
“If the APNU/AFC had addressed the structural discrimination at the Charles Roza Nursing School during its tenure, then students from Region 1,7,8 and 9 would have had equitable access. The Ministry of Health would like to assure all Guyanese that it would take the necessary corrective actions to ensure all the eligible students from the regions will be granted access to the Charles Roza Nursing School training programmes,” the missive noted.
Moreover, the Ministry added that it would review Batch #66 and Class 17 to balance the intake before classes can restart – an approach which it says all right-thinking and fair-minded Guyanese would agree with. (G8)