Minister urges national commitment as nurses migrate for better pay and opportunities

Senator Joseph: Attracting and Retaining Health Workers Requires Balance
Minister urges national commitment as nurses migrate for better pay and opportunities

Senator the Honourable Michael Joseph has acknowledged the mounting challenge of retaining healthcare professionals in Antigua and Barbuda, as many nurses and doctors continue to leave for higher-paying jobs abroad. The Junior Minister for Health says the issue is not unique to Antigua, but finding a sustainable solution requires a delicate balance between patriotism and practicality.

Speaking in a recent ABS interview, Joseph said the migration of trained health workers is widespread across the Commonwealth. “This isn’t a unique challenge to us; it’s an issue throughout the entire Commonwealth, particularly with those countries that are developing,” he noted. “You have this movement of healthcare workers from countries like ours to the US, Australia—because of just the greater exposure for opportunities.”

While recognising the financial appeal of international placements, Joseph stressed the need for a deeper conversation around national development. “At some point in time we have to sit down with our people and ask them, you know, yes, we understand that it’s about personal growth, but what about national growth as well? What about our country? What about our development?”

He also emphasised the government’s responsibility in ensuring those who choose to stay feel valued and supported. “On the flip side, we also have to look at responsibility as government,” he said. “When people choose to develop their country, how do we show appreciation and not overburden them, not let them feel like, you know, they’re not wanted or the space isn’t there for them to grow?”

Joseph explained that a major part of the government’s health strategy is focused on expanding primary healthcare facilities, which would help ease the pressure on hospital staff. “We do believe once we’ve built out the infrastructure part for primary healthcare, then that is going to be that pinnacle that we need for growth—that tipping point to change in the system,” he said.

With better distribution of workload and stronger frontline services, Joseph believes the system can begin to function more efficiently. The remarks come amid ongoing concern about staff shortages and burnout within the health sector, especially following the strain of the COVID-19 pandemic. While Joseph acknowledged there is no single solution, he called for continued efforts to improve conditions, promote local opportunity, and foster a shared sense of national duty.

“It’s really a balancing act. It’s not an easy thing,” he said. “There’s no one-size-fits-all, there’s not a solution that’s written in a book somewhere that we’re going to figure out. It’s really trial and error in figuring out that necessary mechanism that works for us based on experience.”

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