The Regional Nursing Body (RNB) has called for urgent action to end the migration of nurses and midwives from the Caribbean region.
Speaking at the recent 45th RNB annual general meeting held in Georgetown, Guyana, RNB President, Nester Edwards noted that experienced nurses are leaving in large numbers and there is a need to bring the issue back to the table and talk about implementing strategies and recommendations to deal with the problem.
Edwards, who is Grenada’s chief nursing officer, said chief nursing officers (CNOs) can testify to a certain renewed active migration taking place, where international agencies are coming in a secretive manner and recruiting nurses and midwives.
He said the recommendations to deal with the situation include the need for strong advocacy for the implementation of the 2001 Migration Strategy and for a statement to be issued by the RNB to the leadership of the Caribbean Community’s highest-decision-making body.
Guyana’s Minister for Public Health, Volda Lawrence in her address underscored the urgent need for a comprehensive human resource strategy that will boost the present workforce and prioritize the improvement of nursing education in keeping with current trends and best practices in the field.
She also lamented the migration “crisis” emphasizing “something must be done to ensure that the hemorrhaging of our trained people who (governments) borrow to invest in” is stopped.
