Prime Minister Gaston Browne has clarified his government’s decision to recruit more than 100 nurses from Ghana, describing it as a strategic move to strengthen public healthcare resilience amid heightened U.S. pressure on countries that host Cuban medical personnel.

Browne told state media that the new arrangement is not intended to replace Cuban professionals but to “diversify risk” and protect the healthcare system from potential geopolitical fallout.

“The U.S. has been very hostile with this relationship with the Cubans,” Browne explained. “By having Ghanaians as part of the healthcare delivery, we are supplementing and at the same time diversifying risks. If the U.S. should take a very firm position — that they are going to sanction the Cuban nurses — and we had to return them to Havana, our healthcare would be plunged into crisis.”

Throughout 2025, the United States tightened its stance on Cuban medical brigades in the Caribbean. Washington warned that governments facilitating such programmes could face sanctions unless major reforms were introduced, including changes to how Cuban doctors are compensated.

Antigua and Barbuda took administrative steps to adjust payment structures, but Browne acknowledged that uncertainty still remains.

The United Progressive Party (UPP) has sharply criticized the government’s handling of the situation. In a December 19 press statement, the Opposition called the changes “abrupt” and expressed gratitude to Cuba for its longstanding support.

The UPP highlighted the loss of major programmes initiated under former Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer — including the Eye-Care Project and access to university-level scholarships — describing them as vital contributions “the average family could never have afforded.”

Despite differing views, Browne insisted that the government is not phasing out Cuban doctors and nurses. Instead, he said both partnerships — with Havana and Accra — are short-to-medium-term solutions while Antigua and Barbuda develops more local healthcare workers.

“What I expect within the next two years is that we will be able to phase out the Cuban and Ghanaian [nurses] and rely exclusively on local talent,” he said.

Browne reiterated that Antigua and Barbuda maintains strong, friendly relations with Cuba. He added that mechanisms are in place to ensure that all foreign medical engagements comply with international labour standards and remain free of any risks associated with human trafficking.

The Prime Minister emphasized that expanding local training programmes remains a top priority. The objective, he said, is a sustainable health sector that is fully staffed by domestic professionals — ensuring long-term resilience regardless of global political shifts.

“Our responsibility is to safeguard healthcare for the people of Antigua and Barbuda,” Browne said. “That means being prepared for every scenario.”