The Ministry of Health held its Nursing and Allied Health Cadet Programme’s closing ceremony, June 4, at the ministry.

Certificates were presented to those who completed the course which included a total of 76 students from 23 senior high schools, public and private, of New Providence, Grand Bahama, and Eleuthera.

Keynote speaker Chief Medical Officer Dr. Glen Beneby told the young people that this is an exciting time to be in health care.

In discussing imminent improvements in health care delivery in The Bahamas that make this an important time, Dr. Beneby pointed out that the ministry will increase the opening hours of more community clinics to 9 p.m., have more ambulances readily available, and will encourage more young people to enter allied health professions, of which, he said, there are more than 100 specialty areas.

Demand for the Nursing and Allied Health Cadet Programme, Dr. Beneby noted, has increased, with more private schools participating and the course becoming more competitive.

Students, he emphasized, must be serious, diligent, and committed.

Director of Nursing Marcel Johnson encouraged the students to continue in the health care profession, noting, like Dr. Beneby, that this juncture is an exciting one for the development of health care in The Bahamas.