The Ministry of Health has confirmed that more than 100 nurses recruited from Ghana are expected to arrive in Antigua and Barbuda today at approximately 2:30 p.m., as the government moves to address critical staffing shortages within the public healthcare system.

The government says the decision was driven by long-standing and worsening nurse shortages that have placed significant strain on healthcare workers and posed risks to patient care.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Stacey Gregg-Paige, who led the recruitment mission to Ghana, explained at a press conference last week that the process was conducted through formal government-to-government arrangements.

She said the initiative was executed 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.

Health Minister Sir Molwyn Joseph and Health Ministry Permanent Secretary Stacey Gregg-Paige (front row) attend graduation for the Assistive Nursing Personnel Programme (photo by Ministry of Health)

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

The recruitment exercise was carried out 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.

Of the 190 applications received, 32 were disqualified due to incomplete documentation or ineligibility. Following competency-based interviews, 127 candidates were selected for vetting by the Antigua and Barbuda Nursing Council.

Upon arrival today, the Ghanaian nurses will undergo a structured three-week orientation programme before being assigned to their respective units.

The onboarding process will include cultural orientation, familiarisation with local healthcare systems, clinical alignment, and role-specific training to ensure a smooth transition into the workforce.

Health officials estimate that Antigua and Barbuda requires approximately 400 nurses to operate its healthcare system effectively.

Currently, there are about 260 local nurses and 33 Cuban nurses in service. The addition of roughly 120 Ghanaian nurses is expected to bring staffing levels slightly above the minimum operational threshold and significantly improve the nurse-to-patient ratio, which currently stands at approximately one nurse to ten patients.

The government has also pointed to the successful deployment of Ghanaian nurses in other Caribbean countries, including Barbados and The Bahamas, citing positive reports on their professionalism and performance as a key factor influencing the recruitment decision.