“All programmes offered by the University of Guyana’s Faculty of Health Sciences are important.”
This assertion was made by Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Dr Emanuel Cummings, even as he amplified his concerns recently about programmes that have been halted by the university.
The programmes – Optometry, Pharmacy and Rehabilitation Sciences – have been the subject of controversial discourse in recent times between Government and the governance of the University. There has been no intimation as to when, or if, the matter, which is reportedly linked to the fee construction of the programmes, will be resolved.
Dr Cummings recently told this publication, “I am very upset with the situation…I am hoping that the University will put aside its differences and have the programmes reinstated.”
Kaieteur News understands that the status of the programmes is currently gaining the attention of the Ministry of Health, but according to Dr Cummings, he has had cause to take his concerns directly to the country’s President.
“I have sent a letter to the President not so long ago and it is being addressed at the highest level. The issue of the students’ fee… I hope between the university and the government, they can sort that out, but right now…it is being sorted out at the expense of our young people. ”
Young people who are desirous of applying for the three programmes in question are being denied the opportunity to be trained, Dr Cummings passionately stated.
“I can’t see when 20 per cent of the population are visually impaired, how can we then say we can address this without having a programme in Optometry? Persons who are diabetic or even those who have been in debilitating accidents – they need medication and rehabilitation services. This is critical and I don’t see why the fooling around with something that is extremely important.”
In emphasising his conviction that all of the programmes offered by the Health Sciences Faculty are crucial, Dr Cummings noted that “I can’t see that anybody could think that they are not important. They all have equal importance because they all have individual contributions which will collectively help to advance the health care agenda.”
It was two years ago that the University officials had revealed plans for the three health programmes which were intended to be introduced during the 2010/2011 academic year. In fact, it was Registrar of the University, Vincent Alexander, who had disclosed that despite the fiscal challenges being faced by the institution, the need to keep up with the changing demands of industry required adaptation by the University.
A Degree in Pharmacy was being viewed as essential, in light of the fact that the Caribbean Association of Pharmacists issued a call throughout the Region to up the minimum qualifications required to dispense pharmaceuticals. Previously, the industry allowed students with an Associate Degree in Pharmacy to work as Pharmacists. However, the need for stricter standards in the dispensation of drugs necessitated more in-depth training. This requirement was fuelled by the rise in drug dependence and abuse through controlled substances as well as illicit narcotics.
The Optometry Programme on the other hand had proven to be one of the more sought after programmes in the Faculty of Health Sciences, despite some teething problems, Dr. Cummings had related. According to him, both the Bachelor of Science and the Associate Degree in Optometry programmes, had seen overwhelming responses.
The University began offering the programmes in September 2010, and the Dean revealed that “we had gotten 30 students in both areas. As a matter of fact we had to actually reject some students.”
And it was not only local students who were attracted to the Optometry programme. Dr. Cummings disclosed that students from Saint Lucia, Jamaica and Haiti had made up the inaugural batch. Students from the latter mentioned territory were able to access the programme through a scholarship programme designed specifically for them.
In addition to the fee problems, there was also a call for a review of the Rehabilitation Sciences Programme, Dr Cummings said, adding that “I have already indicated this to the University, because I think we will have to do some career guidance as it relates to this programme.”
