Nineteen newly trained Medical Extension Officers (Medexes) are set to help strengthen healthcare delivery across Guyana, with Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony urging them to follow current treatment guidelines and remain accountable while serving in remote communities.
The graduates completed the Ministry of Health’s Medex Training Programme and were recognised during a ceremony at Windjammer International Cuisine and Comfort Inn on Tuesday.
Addressing the graduates, Dr. Anthony warned against prescribing outdated medications, failing to follow updated treatment protocols and requesting unnecessary medical evacuations for patients in remote areas.
He stressed that “what was acceptable in the past is no longer acceptable”.
The Minister also raised concerns about punctuality and attendance, noting that limited supervision in far-flung communities must not become an excuse for officers to neglect their responsibilities.
He cited instances in which officers arrive well after clinics are scheduled to open and leave before completing their working hours. Such practices, he cautioned, could undermine the Government’s efforts to improve healthcare services.
The Medex programme prepares participants to provide primary healthcare, with training in disease prevention, early diagnosis, treatment and community-based care.
The 19 graduates are expected to support services particularly in rural, hinterland and underserved communities, where access to skilled healthcare workers remains a priority.
According to the Ministry, the training forms part of its wider investment in developing the health workforce and expanding access to timely, quality care across the country.
The graduates were encouraged to carry out their duties with professionalism, compassion and dedication as they take up the next phase of their careers.
