The Ministry of Health has defended its decision to recruit more than 100 nurses from Ghana, citing severe staffing shortages that officials say are placing strain on Antigua and Barbuda’s healthcare system and compromising patient care.

Health Minister Sir Molwyn Joseph addressed the issue during a press conference on Tuesday, joined by senior ministry officials, as public debate continues over the recruitment initiative.

Sir Molwyn said the country has long struggled to maintain adequate nursing levels, a challenge that has intensified in recent years. He noted that the shortage has resulted in nurses being overextended, leading to burnout and increased pressure on frontline healthcare workers.

“When nurses are consistently overworked, the quality of patient care is at risk,” the minister said. “This recruitment effort is aimed at correcting a serious imbalance in the system, and I want to commend the permanent secretary and technical team for their careful and professional work.”

He expressed confidence that once the full group of nurses is integrated into the healthcare network, longstanding concerns about staffing levels will be significantly eased.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Stacey Gregg-Paige, who led the recruitment mission to Ghana, outlined the process and emphasized that it was conducted through formal government-to-government channels.

She explained that the initiative was carried out under a Memorandum of Understanding and a Service Agreement between Antigua and Barbuda and the Government of Ghana, both of which were reviewed and approved by the Ministry of Legal Affairs.

“This arrangement is lawful, transparent and fully compliant with public service, regulatory and immigration requirements,” Gregg-Paige stated, adding that the framework ensures accountability and proper oversight.

The recruitment exercise took place in Accra from September 16 to 22, 2025, under Ghana’s Labour Exchange Programme, in collaboration with the Ministry of Special Initiatives in the Office of the President. A total of 190 applications were received, with 32 disqualified due to incomplete documentation or ineligibility. Of the 158 candidates interviewed through a competency-based assessment process, 127 were selected for vetting by the Antigua and Barbuda Nursing Council.

Medical Director of the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, Dr. Shivon Belle-Jarvis, confirmed that the Ghanaian nurses are expected to arrive later this month and will undergo a structured three-week orientation before being assigned to their respective units.

She explained that the onboarding programme is designed to help the nurses adjust to local systems and standards, beginning with cultural orientation and familiarization with the healthcare environment, followed by clinical alignment and role-specific training.

According to health officials, the healthcare system requires approximately 400 nurses to operate effectively. At present, there are about 260 local nurses and 33 Cuban nurses in service. The arrival of approximately 120 Ghanaian nurses is expected to bring staffing levels slightly above the minimum threshold and significantly improve the nurse-to-patient ratio, which currently stands at roughly one nurse to ten patients.

The government has pointed to the successful deployment of Ghanaian nurses in other Caribbean countries, including Barbados and The Bahamas, as a key factor in its decision, noting positive feedback on their performance and professionalism.