The thirteen trainers from the Worldwide International Emergency Medical Services have returned to the United States still savouring the enjoyable time they had in Anguilla during their training of various medical and health personnel.
The week-long training of 57 medical, nursing and Emergency Medical Services staff of the Health Authority of Anguilla, was carried out during the period February 17-21. The areas of training included Basic Life Support Techniques, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Neonatal Resuscitation, Paediatrics Advanced Life Support, Paramedic and Emergency Medical Technician certification and re-certification.
A press release issued by Mrs Meridith Gumbs, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Health Authority, stated that the training was held in conjunction with Howard University Hospital Outreach Programme and the American Heart Association.
“The purpose of the training was to ensure that the medical, nursing and EMS staff remained current in their various disciplines and their certification,” Mrs Gumbs explained in the release. “The theoretical and practical knowledge and experience gained over the five days will serve to continue to build the capacity, expertise and confidence of our medical and nursing teams. It will go a long way in enhancing the level of care provided to the residents of, and visitors to, Anguilla.”
The closing ceremony and distribution of American Heart Association Certificates were held at the Teachers’ Resource Centre on Friday evening, February 21. Speaking at that occasion, Mrs Gumbs told the participants in the training programme that it was to equip them to better serve the people of Anguilla in the fulfilment of their mission statement: “To provide high quality, compassionate, accessible and affordable health care to the communities we serve.”
The Acting CEO of the Health Authority advised the staff that their training was not be an end in itself. “We must remember at all times that while the acquisition of technical capability is paramount, our mission includes the provision of compassionate care,” she stated. “The fear of patients, the anxiety of relatives, in the face of life-threatening situations, can make your job more difficult. However, a compassionate and understanding attitude, coupled with your expertise, can and will help to create an atmosphere in which you can better focus on efficiently and effectively performing your life-saving tasks.”
Mrs Gumbs added: “I reiterate my heartiest congratulations to you, the participants, and your facilitators, for a job well done. I have heard that some of the exercises were difficult but with perseverance you were all successful. Your delivery of service can only be enhanced with this training and will serve to provide a higher level of care to the residents of, and visitors to, Anguilla.”
