News
| May 2, 2023

Antigua recruiting more medical professionals from Cuba

/ Our Today

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Molwyn Joseph, Minister of Health, Wellness and the Environment in Antigua and Barbuda, makes a point during the special meeting of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on the coronavirus on March 1, 2020. (Photo: Twitter @miaamormottley)

Antigua and Barbuda Health Minister Molwyn Joseph says that in an effort to boost the numbers at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, close to a dozen medical professionals will be sourced from Cuba.

Speaking on local radio, Joseph said that talks are ongoing with the Cuban government.

His statement followed a disruption in healthcare services at the hospital last Tuesday and Wednesday.

“We are getting support from the Cuban government with nurses to fill the gap . . . and [we] met with the representative, the diplomat from Cuba, just last week,” Joseph said.

Negotiation talks continue

The minister added that he has asked for an additional six doctors and five nurses in specialist areas.

External view of the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre in the Antiguan capital of St John’s. The facility, the largest of its kind in the twin-island Caribbean country, is also known as the Mount St. John’s Medical Centre. (Photo: Hensley Isaac for Google.com)

Following the protest action, the hospital and the nurses’ association have been engaged in negotiations on issues affecting the nurses.

These include a need for better working conditions, overtime pay, and a lack of basic equipment.

The next installment of negotiation talks is set for today (May 2).

Tags
Antigua and Barbuda Antigua-Cuba relations Government of Antigua and Barbuda Government of Cuba medical personnel recruitment Minister Molwyn Joseph Ministry of Health Wellness and the Environment Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre St John's

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