Guyana’s public health sector continues to be plagued by worker shortages and those that remain are required to work long hours, but help is on the way, says Guyanese Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony.
During a press engagement earlier today, the Minister revealed that in addition to the 80 Cuban nurses that were employed this year, the Guyana Government is gearing to welcome 200 more early next year. While this is but a temporary fix, given the mass exodus of Guyanese nurses to the United Kingdom and elsewhere, the Minister is hopeful that some strain will be taken off those local healthcare workers that have been pulling longer shifts.
He noted that the government has already asked the Cuban government to send more nurses to fill the gaps.
The country’s premiere public facility, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation is already running at a deficit of some 600 nurses, with a staggering 107 resignations last year alone.
With Guyana’s economy rapidly expanding and more hospitals and other healthcare facilities being built, Dr Anthony estimated that some 4,000 nurses will be needed across the country in the coming years.
The issue of medical worker shortage has long been an issue in Guyana, with many being recruited by foreign hospitals. With more pay and better incentives abroad, the Guyana Government has been scampering to match wages and salaries but to no avail.
Last year, in the Committee of Supply, Minister Anthony noted that aside from the nurses being recruited to the UK, their families are also granted approval to accompany them. This “pull factor”, the minister had noted, is a “biggest challenge” in retaining Guyanese nurses.
It is not surprising that there is a shortage of nurses despite Guyana’s blooming economy. They flee Guyana. Everyone flees Guyana.
If one thinks carefully, there will be an uprising by the Opposition supported by the blacks. They want power. It does not matter that that they cannot manage a roadside stand: power is the end-all.
Guyana is a beautiful country. I do wish there were not sub-humans in this land.