Antigua Welcomes 120 Ghanaian Nurses to Ease Burnout

Healthcare workers in Antigua and Barbuda are getting the relief they desperately need, thanks to an international partnership that's benefiting nurses on two continents.

The Caribbean nation announced it will welcome 120 nurses from Ghana this month to address a critical shortage that has left local healthcare workers stretched dangerously thin. With only 260 local nurses and 33 Cuban nurses serving the entire country, hospitals and clinics need about 400 nurses to properly care for patients.

Health Minister Sir Molwyn Joseph explained the human cost of the shortage. "If you have nurses who are overworked or burnt out, then this compromises patient care," he told reporters. The new arrivals will work at Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, community health clinics, and schools.

The recruitment process was thorough and respectful. Permanent Secretary Stacey Gregg-Paige led a team to Accra last September, where they interviewed 158 qualified candidates through a structured, competency-based process. Out of 190 applications, 127 nurses were selected and vetted by the Antigua and Barbuda Nursing Council.

Ghana's government worked hand-in-hand with Antigua through a formal memorandum of understanding. Both countries' legal teams reviewed the agreements to ensure everything met regulatory standards and protected the nurses' rights.

The Ripple Effect

This partnership creates wins across borders. Ghanaian nurses gain international experience and career opportunities while sending support back home. Antigua's exhausted healthcare workers finally get backup, reducing dangerous fatigue that puts patients at risk. And most importantly, patients in Antigua will receive better care from nurses who aren't running on empty.

Dr. Shivon Belle-Jarvis, Medical Director at Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, emphasized that the hospital prepared a comprehensive three-week orientation program. "Anyone going into a system has to go through an onboarding process whether you are coming from within the local system or from abroad," she said.

The initiative demonstrates how countries can solve problems together. Rather than competing for scarce resources, Antigua and Ghana built a framework that respects both nations' needs and creates genuine opportunities for healthcare professionals seeking meaningful work.

When nations collaborate with transparency and mutual respect, everyone benefits.