Major attention is being directed to tackling unprofessionalism within the public health sector. Yesterday, Public Health Minister,Samed Yesil Liverpool Jersey, Dr. George Norton, emphasized this focus of his Ministry at the opening of the RegionalFrom left: Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, Colette Adams; PAHO/WHO Representative in Guyana, Dr. William Adu-Crow; Public Health Minister, Dr. George Norton; Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings and Director of Regional Health Services, Dr. Kay Shako.Health Officers (RHOs)/Directors meeting convened at Cara Lodge, Quamina Street, Georgetown.Participating in the forum, which will continue until tomorrow, are Regional Health Officers from coastal regions and Programme Directors of the Ministry. RHOs from Hinterland Regions and Programme Directors will meet for an identical meeting?on Thursday and?Friday.Speaking to the participants at yesterday’s forum, Minister Norton said, “Too often we see in the media, instances of unprofessionalism in the Public Health Care System. One time is one time too many. I would like to take this opportunity to urge all health care professionals to encourage professionalism at all levels of the Public Health Care system.”Unprofessionalism, the Minister asserted, will not be condoned by his Ministry. Necessary measures will be taken in all instances to deal condignly with persons who behave in such a manner.“It is in your best interest and the best interest of the Guyanese people to take full advantage of the opportunity presented to engage meaningfully with your regional counterparts to improve the quality of regional health services.”And Minister Norton disclosed, yesterday, that partners such as the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have been contributing significantly to the efforts to improve the quality of healthcare in Guyana.In his deliberations yesterday, the Minister said,? “You must be equipped with the requisite knowledge and skills to deliver quality health care services to Guyanese,Sadio Mane Liverpool Jersey, and it is for this reason that I encourage you to continuously pursue medical education.“I am personally an advocate for continuous higher education and as such, I pledge the Ministry of Public Health’s support in any way possible in your pursuit of continuing medical education.”According to the Public Health Minister, the delivery of “Acceptable, Accessible, Affordable, timely and appropriate health care services to the Guyanese people,Javier Hernandez Mexico Jersey, is of utmost importance to the Government of Guyana.”In pointing out that there is much to be done in terms of improving the health care delivery in every region of Guyana, the Minister acknowledged. “I know 2015 wasn’t an easy year. It must have brought challenges and crises,Bruno Zuculini Manchester City Jersey, at times pushing us to our limits. However, it was also one of inspiration.”But according to him, the Government of Guyana under the new administration is fully committed to working towards reaching the Sustainable Development Goals as efforts are being made to lay the foundation for a new development agenda. And this is particularly important Minister Norton said since “the wealth of a nation is its people’s health.”He continued, “As Regional Healthcare providers,Lionel Messi Jersey, it is your duty to continuously improve the quality of services offered to the Guyanese people, and this forum provides you with the opportunity to work towards doing just that.”The meeting was coordinated by Director of Regional Health Services, Dr. Kay Shako,Connor Randall Liverpool Jersey, whose efforts were lauded by Minister Norton.