Ghanaian nurses expected in Antigua today to ease staffing shortages

More than 100 nurses recruited from Ghana are due to arrive in Antigua and Barbuda on Monday afternoon, as the government seeks to address critical staffing shortages in the public healthcare system.

Health officials say long-standing shortages have placed pressure on frontline workers and risked patient care.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Stacey Gregg-Paige, said the recruitment was carried out under formal government-to-government agreements between Antigua and Barbuda and Ghana.

She said the process was governed by a memorandum of understanding and a service agreement approved by the Ministry of Legal Affairs, and was fully compliant with public service, regulatory and immigration requirements.

The recruitment exercise took place in Accra in September last year under Ghana’s Labour Exchange Programme. Of 190 applicants, 127 were selected following interviews and vetting by the Antigua and Barbuda Nursing Council.

The nurses will undergo a three-week orientation programme, including cultural and clinical training, before being assigned to healthcare facilities.

Health officials estimate the country needs about 400 nurses. The arrival of the Ghanaian cohort is expected to improve staffing levels and ease pressure on existing nurses.

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