Recognizing the critical shortage of nurses in Guyana, the government has undertaken a multifaceted approach to alleviate the issue.
Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony announced during a news conference that efforts to address the nurse shortage would intensify in the coming year.
The focus will be on both recruiting Cuban nurses and expanding local training programs for nurses and nursing assistants.
Dr. Anthony emphasized that training programs are crucial not only for addressing the current shortfall but also for meeting the anticipated demands when new hospitals become operational in 2025.
With the goal of having 4000 nurses ready for these operations, the ministry currently has 1,100 individuals in training to become registered nurses and an additional 1,000 in training to become nursing assistants over the next four years.
In response to the immediate needs, the ministry has recruited 80 Cuban nurses in the current year, a departure from previous recruitment practices that primarily focused on doctors.
The minister acknowledged potential language barriers and revealed a three-month crash course in English for Spanish-speaking Cuban nurses to facilitate smoother integration into the healthcare system.
During an end-of-year press conference at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), it was disclosed that there is an overall deficit of 600 nurses, with 107 nurses resigning in 2022.
The recruitment of Cuban nurses has been a significant step towards addressing this shortfall, and the ministry intends to continue this process.
Dr. Anthony also addressed concerns about nurse workload, directing the GPHC to separate clinical and non-clinical duties, with the possibility of employing personnel for non-clinical tasks.
As the government pursues a comprehensive strategy, the recruitment of Cuban nurses and the expansion of training programs signal a commitment to strengthening the healthcare workforce and ensuring adequate staffing levels for the nation’s growing healthcare needs.