A second group of caregivers was certified after completing the Care-Giving Program at Palau Community College (PCC) on July 08, 2013.  A total of 10 caregivers were awarded: Alvina Marcil, Evalind Adelbai, Federica Balasbas Bukringang, Felomina E. Medina, Julita Tellei, Fraulein Rengiil, Malintha Wasisang, Mercy F. Ricky, Nora T. Nanca, and Rodora Atibagos.  Present to witness and grace the awarding ceremony were PCC President Dr. Patrick U. Tellei, Dean of Continuing Education Willy Wally, and Palau’s Minister of Health Gregorio Ngirmang.  The program’s instructors, Dr. Sylvia Osarch and Tino Faatuulala, were also present.

In a collaborative effort with the Ministry of Health, Palau Community College (PCC) is providing a basic care-giving training program.  The model for the program was provided by Dr. Ritabelle Fernandes of the Geriatric Education Center at John A. Burnes School of Medicine in Hawaii.  Geriatrics is a field of medicine that deals with the healthcare of elderly individuals.

Participants of the Care-Giving Program are taught by volunteer instructors who are certified nurses, physical therapists, and psychiatrists.  The training session spans about two weeks in which a module is taught each week night.  Each module covers a different aspect of care-giving such as the proper way to prepare meals for a patient, personal hygiene care of a patient, and the different illnesses (e.g., diabetes) that may plague a patient.  In addition, prospective caregivers learn how to deal with the emotional and physical stresses of the occupation.

During the awarding ceremony, PCC President Tellei and Minister Ngirmang congratulated all the newly certified caregivers for their achievement.  Minister Ngirmang recognized the importance of such a program, especially in terms of medical assistance for the Palauan public.  He also mentioned that the Navy hospital in Guam is currently moving and its equipment, such as beds, might be transferred to the Belau National Hospital.

To assist the island’s need for medical equipment, President Tellei offered assistance from the school’s carpentry shop.  He mentioned that an ideal means of applying the skills that the carpentry students are learning is to have them build supplies for bed-ridden patients, such as beds or side-tables.

The Care-Giving Program began on June 10, 2013.  Another group will begin training on July 15, 2013.  A total of 400 individuals are currently signed up for the program. Of the 400 individuals, 25 have been certified leaving 375 prospective caregivers to train.  The Care-Giving Program is free and open to any person interested in learning how to properly care for bed-ridden individuals.