SVG nurses recruited for Trinidad and Tobago

Even though trained caregivers from St. Vincent and the Grenadines are in high demand all over the world, Trinidad and Tobago will be given preferential treatment.{{more}}

Last week, health officials from the twin-island republic came seeking nurses, and following a three-day visit, plans are now being finalized for those registered nurses who have been recruited to take up positions down south.

At a press conference held on Thursday, June 4th, at the Ministry of Health conference room, the Trinidadian delegation, along with officials of the local Ministry of Health, expressed satisfaction with the interview and recruitment exercise.

Minister of Health Dr Douglas Slater, speaking at the conference, said that his ministry and by extension the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines are not silent on why first preference should be given to their Trinidadian counterparts.

He said that cultural and migratory links, along with assistance that has been reciprocated between the two nations over the years, including a Memorandum of Understanding in respect of health care, were reasons

why he hoped available nurses would fill Trinidad and Tobago’s demand.

“Trinidad has been very generous to us. We have a special relationship with Trinidad and Tobago. We want it to be known that we have an interest in seeing our nurses choose Trinidad and Tobago.”

General Manager of Human Resources in the Eastern Regional Health Authority in Trinidad Kirlyn Archie-Lewis indicated

that during the interviews, some candidates expressed reservations, but were nonetheless enthusiastic about taking up the available positions, and hoped that they would embrace the opportunity to work in Trinidad and Tobago.

She said that her regional authority, as well as the four other regional health authorities, will ensure that the recruits are well settled and comfortable in the new environment, should they choose to make the career move.

“We trust that as part of all the discussions that were held, that after sleeping on it, that they would see the opportunities that would come forward if they come.”

Archie-Lewis congratulated the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines on the initiative of training nurses for export, which she said would improve health care across the region.

According to the health minister, the decision by government to increase student nurses from 25 to 100 per year in 2003 not only satisfied the local need for nurses, but over time, produced an opportunity to resolve the shortage of nurses in the region and internationally.

Slater indicated that there are currently more trained, qualified and registered nurses than there are vacancies in the public service, and hoped that they would take up the offers to venture overseas.

He said that currently, requests for local Registered Nurses are being made by more than six regional agencies, including Jamaica, Grenada, Anguilla, Saba and Barbados. (JJ)