A total of 107 residents of Region Two on Tuesday graduated from the Ministry of Health’s Patient Care Assistant (PCA) and Community Health Workers (CHW) Training Programme, as the government continues efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery at the community level.
The graduation ceremony was held at the Anna Regina Multilateral School and recognised 59 Patient Care Assistants and 48 Community Health Workers who successfully completed their respective training programmes. According to the Ministry of Health, the graduates are now equipped with the knowledge, practical skills and professional competencies needed to support quality healthcare services across the region.
The training programmes were designed to enhance patient-centred care, improve community outreach and bolster frontline health services. Participants received instruction in basic clinical care, infection prevention and control, patient support, health promotion and community engagement.
Officials from the Ministry of Health commended the graduates for their dedication and resilience throughout the training period, noting that their contributions will be vital to strengthening service delivery at health posts, health centres and hospitals across Region Two.
Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony congratulated the graduands and praised the tutors for their commitment to imparting knowledge and skills. He said the Ministry of Health has been working to develop clear care pathways that allow individuals to be trained, equipped and progress within the health sector.
“Previously, it was challenging for Patient Care Assistants or Community Health Workers to transition into other programmes such as nursing. We have changed that. No one should remain stagnant at one level, we want to make access to education easier and progression more attainable,” Dr Anthony said.
The minister also highlighted the ministry’s hybrid training programmes, which combine virtual delivery of theoretical components with in-person practical training. He noted that the platform currently supports close to 800 participants, expanding access to education while maintaining high training standards.
The Ministry of Health reaffirmed its commitment to investing in human resources for health, stressing that programmes such as these play a critical role in expanding access to healthcare, improving patient outcomes and ensuring that communities receive timely and compassionate care.
With the addition of the newly trained PCAs and CHWs, Region Two is expected to benefit from improved healthcare coverage, enhanced community-based services and a more responsive health system aligned with national health priorities.
