Sunyani (B/A), Dec. 21, GNA - Fifty-five trainees on Friday passed out from the health aides training centre in Sunyani in the Brong-Ahafo Region.

The health aides form the first batch to be trained for the region to commence training as a new cadres of health workers.

The graduands are to assist the existing health professionals in the execution of their duties and to fill the vacuum created by health personnel leaving the country to seek greener pastures abroad. Out of the 55 trainees, 40 were females and 15 males.

Speaking at the occasion, the Brong-Ahafo Regional Director of Health Services Alhaji Dr. Mohammed Bin Ibrahim noted that, day-in-day-out the nation is losing her doctors, nurses and other health professionals to the developed countries and this has compelled the few health professionals remaining in the country to perform extra duties, sometimes to the detriment of their health.

"Ghana health service has therefore, realized that there should be a new crop of health workers, who can, in no small measure help the few health professionals to perform their duties," Dr. Ibrahim added.

Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim explained that, the training programme is a six-month course, the first three months for theoretical work, which includes nursing practice, basic anatomy and physiology, communication and interpersonal skills, microbiology and personal hygiene, ethics, environmental and family life and first aid.

The last three months, he said, is for practical application. He said the practical aspect of the course embodies observation of vital signs, bed making, decontamination of instruments and clothing, receiving and making telephone calls and cleaning and dusting.

He reiterated that a calculated effort is being made to have the newly-qualified health workers employed as soon as possible to perform their duties to lessen the burdens on the health workers.

Alhaji Dr. Mohammed thanked the Regional Minister, the district assemblies and the Regional Hospital management team and other stakeholders for sponsoring the trainees.

Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim commended the trainers, Coordinators, supervisors and clinical instructors for producing the first batch of the aides for the region.

On his part, the Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, Nana Kwadwo Seinti encouraged the graduands to work hard for the benefit of the country. He advised them to be guided by discipline, kindness, honesty, gentleness and a show of compassion for patients in doing about their duties.

During forum the participants commended the initiator of the programme and the government for endorsing the idea, and assured of giving their best to help in the health delivery system especially when the proposed health insurance commended.