The Unsung Heroism of Nurse Vidia Ragbeer in the Mahaica/Berbice Region

In the heart of Guyana’s Mahaica-Berbice region, where the gentle flow of the Berbice River meets the verdant embrace of the countryside, lies a story of unwavering dedication and compassion. This story belongs to Nurse Vidia Ragbeer (often called Nurse V or Nurse Vidy), a beacon of hope and healing for the community and region that she served.

Nurse Vidia was born and raised in Plantation Ross, West Coast, Berbice. She attended St. Jude’s Anglican Primary (now called Lichfield Primary), wrote the SSPE, and was awarded a spot at Belladrum Community High School. At Belladrum Community High School, she spent 1-year. After completing high school, she was allowed to pursue a work-study stint at the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital, because she was always passionate about nursing. However, due to challenges, she could not pursue that programme.

Her nursing journey began with a deep-seated desire to make a tangible difference in people’s lives. Growing up in a small village, she witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by her community in accessing healthcare. This ignited a passion within her—a commitment to serve and care for others.

Despite the hurdles, she didn’t give up; in 1985, she applied to the New Amsterdam School of Nursing, wrote their entry exam, and was successful. Nurse Vidia also pursued other science/medial-based courses and was successful. In 1986, she was interviewed, and her journey as a nursing student began on April 1, 1987.

At the school, she spent 2 years and graduated. Her journey as a nurse began in 1990, at the New Amsterdam Psychiatric Hospital, where she served for 14 months, after which she worked at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital.

She started encountering transportation challenges, as there was only one boat traversing the Berbice River then, so she was transferred to Fort Wellington Hospital.

While at the Fort Wellington Hospital, she worked for about a week and was transferred to the Lichfield Health Centre as they were short-staffed. She served the Lichfield Health Centre for 20+ years, under the Department of Health at the RDC Region 5. In 2013, she was reassigned to the Bushlot Health Centre, where she was the vaccine nurse alongside Nurse Deslyn Fraser, her senior health visitor (SHV). She worked there until her retirement in 2020.

“I enjoyed doing this…  Uplifting, storing, and distributing vaccines… I was passionate about this… Though I faced many challenges at work, with God on my side, I persevered..,” Nurse Vidia said.

She is a mother to three kids: Quincy, Valencia, and Jarrel, and a mother-figure to many young people in her community. She is a Christian by religion.

‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’, is a scripture from the bible that keeps her motivated.

Nurse Vidia has been the steady hand and compassionate heart at the Bushlot Health Centre, up until her retirement in 2020. Each day brings new challenges and opportunities for her to make a difference. Her role transcends mere medical care; it embodies empathy and understanding. Beyond administering treatments and medications, she listens—truly listens—to her patients. She understands the fears and hopes that accompany illness. Often, she finds herself not only tending to physical wounds but also providing emotional support to families in their darkest hours.

Her commitment to ensuring every person receives the care they need is unwavering, regardless of the challenges she faces along the way. Outside of her work hours, she would conduct various presentations at schools, churches, and NGOs to educate people about various health conditions. During the Ministry of Health filaria campaigns, she was instrumental in educating hesitant residents about the importance of taking the medication.

Her former colleagues speak of her with reverence and admiration. They describe her as a source of inspiration during difficult times. Her leadership extends beyond her immediate responsibilities; she mentors younger nurses, imparting not just clinical knowledge but also the importance of compassion and resilience in the face of adversity.

Nurse Vidia’s impact extends far beyond the confines of the walls of the health centers she served. She is a community leader, trusted and respected by all who know her.

As she reflects on her journey, she remains humble. She credits her success not to herself alone but to God, the unwavering support of her family, colleagues, and the community she serves. Her greatest reward, she says, is witnessing her patients recover and return to their loved ones, knowing that she played a part in their journey toward healing.

In Berbice, Nurse Vidia’s name is synonymous with hope. Her legacy is not just the lives she has touched directly but also the ripple effect of her kindness, spreading throughout the region like the gentle currents of the Berbice River. As long as there are nurses like Nurse Vidia, willing to dedicate their lives to the service of others, there will always be hope for a brighter, healthier future.

“Nothing in life comes easy, work hard, and never limit yourself,” is Nurse Vidia’s advice for youth.