Bahamas recruits nurses from Ghana to address shortage

Eighteen specialty nurses from Ghana are scheduled to arrive in The Bahamas by the end of October to help relieve a shortage of nurses.

There has been continuing nurses shortages in the country with many frontline workers continuously complaining of exhaustion – both physically and mentally.

According to Bahamas’ Health Minister Michael Darville, the Ghanaian nurses, will help in the fight to provide quality service in the country.

“I want the Bahamian people to know that while we are recruiting, developed countries are recruiting in our country and it’s a burden that we currently face on a daily basis. We are not alone in the Caribbean, other Caribbean colleagues and ministers of health are constantly presenting this issue of excessive recruitment in the Caribbean and the Bahamas is no exception.

“But for us at the Ministry of Health and Wellness, it is our responsibility to do all that we need to ensure that these services are provided in the country and that requires going outside and recruiting from abroad.

“So, we look forward to the nurses coming from Ghana into the country to help us to deliver quality health care services, not only in Grand Bahama and New Providence, but throughout the country.”

Last month, Bahamian Public Hospital Authority Managing Director Aubynette Rolle said that officials were making various attempts to address the nursing shortage in the country.

She noted that in addition to Ghana, the government is expecting nurses from the Philippines and possibly India. -(CMC)