IN an effort to mitigate the shortage of nurses that exists in Guyana’s healthcare system, approximately 50 more nurses from Cuba are expected in Guyana this week.

This was disclosed by Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, on the sidelines of a recent event where he stated that so far this year, 50 nurses from Cuba have arrived in the country, with more on the way.

When asked by the Guyana Chronicle to provide details on this, he said: “So we had some nurses that came in from Cuba already. I think we had about 50 that came in and later this month we have another 50 that are coming.”

Late last year, the minister announced that efforts were being made to increase the number of nurses in the system here. As a result, he said that the local authorities had asked the Cuban government for nurses to aid with the shortage.

At that time, he said at least 200 nurses were expected early this year as part of an arrangement with the Cuban government.

Meanwhile, the minister told the Guyana Chronicle that this second batch is expected this week and they will be distributed to different hospitals across the country.

“Basically, when they come in, we would put them at different institutions, so we would not put them all at one place,” Dr Anthony said while adding that of the set that came initially, they are spread out at the Georgetown Public Hospital, New Amsterdam hospital, Linden Hospital and Suddie Hospital.

Previously, the health minister indicated that, based on a manpower audit that was done, approximately 4,000 more nurses are needed for the new health structre that is being built.

As a result, increased training in this area has begun with over 1,100 persons currently enrolled in the hybrid nurses training programme which commenced in 2022.

Further to this, a nursing assistant programme will see some 1,000 persons entering the health system by the end of this year.
This level of increased training will continue to fit whatever need there is in the current system.