VI looking to Ghana, Philippines & Cuba to fill nurse shortages in 2023– Hon Penn
Hon Malone made the announcement during yesterday’s November 15, 2022, Eighth Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) at Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom. His statement was in response to questions from Opposition Member Hon Carvin Malone (AL).
According to Hon Penn, securing adequate technical and professional staffing for the BVI Health Services Authority continues to present a challenge as the VI still has to compete with the rest of the world to not only recruit but also retain well-trained and motivated staff.
“Several countries have resorted to offering significant inducement, including increases in compensation and benefits, and immigration incentives in order to recruit from the market, that has shrunk considerably since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
He said in response to those complex challenges, the BVI Health Service Authority has therefore put a number of steps in place, including entering into an agreement with the Cuban Health Authority for the extended deployment of a limited number of positions, specialists and nursing staff for the next year.
New Markets being explored - Hon Penn
“New markets for nurse recruitment are actively being explored, including Ghana and the Philippines, as nursing shortages are the most pressing concern at this time,” he related.
Hon Penn detailed that retention initiatives are also being reviewed by the BVIHSA Board for all clinical and allied health staff to ensure that trained staff can be retained while operating within the budget limits.
Hon Penn added, “and staff training arrangements are being expanded in collaboration with HLSCC to provide ongoing professional development opportunities for allied health professionals and other technical staff in order to build capacity among existing staff.”
In response, Opposition Member Hon Malone said he supported the initiatives to retain, train and seek staff for the VI’s health sector.
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29 Responses to “VI looking to Ghana, Philippines & Cuba to fill nurse shortages in 2023– Hon Penn”
On the other hand, we have a bunch of trained doctors and nurses who we don't want to pay properly, so they vacate their post to seek better opportunities under the NDP and VIP.
We want good services but don’t intend to pay for it? I guess only the board members are entitled to get rich around here?
Fund the hospital the way you fund the private sector and you can have anything you want! By the way the majority of supposed providers in the private sector are general practitioners practicing beyond their scope, but you are too ignorant and lazy to actually find out who you are accepting care from. Make sure you don't get sick!
the leaders of the country do not care about us: you go out and study come back home no job or they want to pay you pocket-change
The folks from outside will work for the pocket change because of the rate of exchange: come here 10 of them live in one apartment
we also have situations were government pays large sums of your tax money those consultants or companies from overseas.....there have to a change in the system: good leadership matters
I cannot speak for others but only for myself, since persons experiences may differ based on the ward, services and treatment provided, but I can say without a doubt that the nurses and doctorss who treated me provided exceptional services.
I think if Doctors and nurses are treated better and incentives are given, more would remain in the territory and provide the services needed.
All the politicians want these new buildings. New $1 million construction projects. Just CLEAN the clinic. That will not cost anywhere near $100,000 for a bid. The Virgin Gorda people need medical care!
Nice to see they want to hire some people, but where they going to work? If it is Tortola, the VG people might end up died before they get care. For sure we be poor by having to take a day off work and pay a ferry to get there!
We need new blood. Call an election!