All is Well: Impasse between Gov’t and Nurses Ends Amicably

After two days of protest triggered by the removal of the Principal Nursing Officer from the Midwifery Board, the government and nurses have reached an agreement, signaling an end to the unrest.

President of the Antigua and Barbuda Nursing Association Lauralyn Williams said this afternoon that the meeting was held in good faith and in the end, the discussions and reasonings prevailed

“The PNO has been replaced on the midwifery board and given the position of Deputy Chair, and we give God thanks for all the occurrences. We have also invited again to the Cabinet to give them advice on how we can move the healthcare system forward,” she said

The decision to remove Margaret Smith, the principal nursing officer, from the Midwifery Board sparked widespread discontent among nurses, leading to protests outside the Ministry of Health and the Cabinet Office.

In response to the growing unrest, Prime Minister Gaston Browne, Attorney General Steadroy Benjamin, and other government officials discussed the issue with Margaret Smith.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Ena Dalso-Henry, was also called upon to provide insights into the decision to remove the Principal Nursing Officer from the Midwifery Board.

Health Minister Sir Molwyn Joseph articulated the government’s position that Margaret Smith’s proximity to retirement made it better for another individual to fill the role on the Midwifery Board.

Molwyn Joseph also highlighted that the Midwifery Act does not mandate the presence of the Principal Nursing Officer on the Board.

Subsequently, a compromise was sought through dialogue and negotiations involving the Attorney General, the Prime Minister, and other key stakeholders in the government.

The Permanent Secretary convened a meeting with Margaret Smith to find a resolution that would allow the nurses to return to their vital role of caring for patients.

Following the talks, Principal Nursing Officer Margaret Smith expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the meeting, signaling a positive step towards resolving the issue.