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Cuban nurses ‘coming to help with nursing shortage’

by Marlon Madden
2 min read
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Cuban nurses could soon be here to help fill the void in the public health system, Barbados TODAY has learned.

This is an addition to the medical personnel and drugs the Cuban government, world-renowned for its global medical diplomacy and health care system, is sending here.

The development comes while the island awaits scores of nurses from Ghana.

The first batch of about 63 Ghanaian nurses – half the full complement – was due in Bridgetown at the end of March, but in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is unclear when they will now arrive due to restrictions on air travel.

But the Cuban ambassador to Bridgetown, Sergio Jorge Pastrana, has confirmed to Barbados TODAY that Government had contacted authorities in Havana to get nurses to shore up the numbers of professional nurses on the island.

“In the case of Barbados, there has always been the shortage of nurses. That is traditional here and you know there was a request to Ghana and also to Cuba at some point,” said Pastrana.

He would not reveal how advanced discussions were or how many nurses Barbados was looking to source from Cuba to help with its shortage.

“It is being discussed. It was discussed with Ghana and it is being discussed with Cuba as well. So eventually we might have some support,” said Pastrana.

Besides the medium-term plan for nurses to help fill the shortage on the island, Barbados is currently awaiting approximately 100 specialist nurses and doctors from Cuba to help in the fight against the novel coronavirus.

In the case of the Ghanaian nurses to help fill the shortage, Barbados is expected to get three ophthalmic nurses, eight emergency room nurses, six operating theatre nurses, 12 cardiac care nurses, 21 critical care nurses and 70 registered general nurses, bringing the total to about 120 nurses.
marlonmadden@barbadostoday.bb

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