First Cohort of Healthcare Leaders Complete Practical Course in Health Policy and Health Systems in the Caribbean

Six postgraduate students are blazing a trail as they enter an internship that caps a first-ever practical course aimed at cultivating a new generation of healthcare leaders in the Caribbean.

The represent the first cohort of the Postgraduate Diploma and Certificate in Health Policy and Health Systems, offered jointly by the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO).

The students are: Gillian Little, a registered nurse in the emergency department at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Barbados; Keisha Small-Gittens, a registered pharmacist at the Barbados Drug Service; Nikisha Hazel, a registered nurse and midwife; Shemeka Williams, a registered pharmacist; Vonetta Nurse, a nutrition officer at UNICEF Jamaica; and Megueal Julien, a public health consultant.

The course’s practical segment commenced on 28 May, blending virtual coursework with a crucial in-person component that began on Monday at PAHO’s Dayrell’s Road offices.

“They’re coming now to the PAHO office in Barbados, to actually experience and interact with the mentors who are here in-country so they can be exposed to how PAHO works, and be trained in terms of developing policies and becoming health leaders,” said Edwin Bulastig, human resources for health sub-regional adviser for the Caribbean and PAHO/WHO co-coordinator.

The in-person internship will last for a week.

“What we’re trying to do is to develop a cadre of health leaders for the Caribbean region, by exposing them not just to the theoretical aspects of health leadership, health policy, health systems, but also to the actual workings,” Bulastig added.

“These programmes are meticulously designed to provide essential training opportunities to bolster our health systems and meet our human resource goals,” said UWI Cave Hill deputy principal Professor Winston Moore. “They align perfectly with the Caribbean Roadmap on Human Resources for Universal Health, which underscores the necessity to better align programmes with the needs of the healthcare system.”

Professor Moore noted that the occasion marks the successful implementation and progression of the programme, but also highlights the deepening relationship between the UWI and PAHO.

Speaking on behalf of the participants, Nikisha Hazel articulated the personal and professional impact of the practicum.

“It helps to align healthcare professionals with the required skills needed to respond to the ever-evolving healthcare system within the region,” she said. “To students embarking on this journey, and to prospective students, I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity for growth and innovation.”

Culminating on June 28, the intensive mentorship experience is aimed at honing practical skills essential for effective policymaking and health system management will see students benefiting from hands-on guidance from seasoned professionals, fostering both personal growth and career advancement.

According to UWI co-coordinator Heather Harewood, the interns will be able to discuss PAHO’s functions and its work, create an expanded professional network in their technical area, and develop the knowledge and skills required to influence health policy.

The students will then be expected to deliver a reflective portfolio and a policy brief in oral and written pieces.