More than 20 Trinidadian Nurses to study in SVG

The medical ties that bind St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago are expected to be strengthened, with the admission of more than twenty student nurses from that country to the local nursing school, and a partnership for the building of a new nurses’ hostel here.{{more}}

While addressing the 23rd annual graduation and prize giving ceremony of the Division of Nursing last Thursday at the Faith Temple Church in New Montrose, Minister of Health Dr. Douglas Slater indicated that proposals were made at recently held talks between the two countries’ health officials to have the Trinidadians study and train at local facilities here.

“In fact, we have reserved 25 places for them and they have expressed not just their willingness, but their eagerness to take those positions,” Slater indicated.

Slater said that the move was a sign of respect for the quality of training in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and that the Trinidad and Tobago Government was well pleased.

The minister said that talks are also underway for the construction of a new nurses hostel, a move which the minister says the authorities down south are taking a favourable look at.

“Obviously if we are training persons from overseas, plus our own, we would like to have more space…. We have used the opportunity and we are negotiating some further cooperation from Trinidad and Tobago.”

According to the minister, his administration’s policy to train nurses for overseas employment played a vital part in the talks between the two countries.

He said that the focus has shifted from an extra regional one to a more regional one, reminding the graduates that there are already Vincentian nurses working in Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and other Caribbean territories as well as internationally.

Slater said that the move is a success story that he and many others are proud of. “These are policies that we are proud of. Some people don’t understand it but it is something that the Government will continue to do.” Slater said.(JJ)