By Fay Simmons

Tribune Business Reporter

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

The "relentless brain drain" means the Bahamian healthcare system continues to suffer from a shortage of nurses, midwives, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals, a senior government official reiterated yesterday.

Dr Cherita Moxey, the Ministry of Health and Wellness' policy and planning lead, told the Pan American Health Organisation's (PAHO) executive committee sessions that the sector's workforce is struggling to cope with patient demand even as The Bahamas rebounds economically from Hurricane Dorian and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Identifying, in particular, a shortage of nurses, midwives, pharmacists, dentists and allied health professionals, she said: “The tides are now turning in The Bahamas, with optimistic economic rebound from the devastations of Dorian and the pandemic now in view. However, the fall-out related to the health impacts of these disasters on our people is still unfolding.

“As it unfolds, what we know is that The Bahamas does not meet the minimum density threshold for nurses and midwives as well as pharmaceutical professionals and dentists, not to mention allied health professionals. And although my country nominally exceeds the density threshold for physicians, this cadre is inequitably distributed across our archipelago.”

Dr Moxey reiterated that developing countries such as The Bahamas typically lose a large number of qualified healthcare workers to larger developed countries whose healthcare systems are able to offer better salaries, benefits and working conditions.

She said: “The brain drain to, and relentless recruitment from, developed countries is unyielding. Thirteen years after its adoption we must ask: Has the Global Code of Practice on international recruitment yielded the intended results? And is it time to advocate for the review of this Code?

"Madam President, meeting supply demands for an integrated, inter-disciplinary and primary care-focused health services requires investing early to influence career choices. We urge PAHO to develop a framework, in collaboration with member states, for exposing and attracting high school students to careers in health. This will be indispensable if we are to meet the needs of our populations and achieve the universal health coverage (UHC) mandate.”

Dr Moxey added that each Caribbean country is at a different point in implementing proper human resources for healthcare (HRH) procedures, and urged PAHO to help provide technical support and resources to ensure that adequate healthcare is offered throughout the region.

“Our region is not homogeneous. Member states are at varying stages of HRH implementation. As such, PAHO is requested to prioritise and scale-up capacity building opportunities, resource mobilisation and technical assistance such that no member state lags behind.

“Without an adequate, skilled, fit-for purpose and motivated health workforce, UHC will be an elusive ideal; smart health facilities will be desolate edifies; and health technologies and information systems will be no more than a reminder of unrealised potential.”

Dr Moxey said The Bahamas has launched a National HRH Committee to diversify and empower the healthcare workforce. “The Bahamas appreciates that intentional and progressive actions are necessary to advance HRH," she added.

"To this end, my country took bold, historic action in establishing a National HRH Committee whose work, though country-specific, is closely aligned with PAHO’s HRH Policy 2030 and will serve as a foundation for a diversified, resilient, engaged and empowered workforce.”

The Bahamas yesterday supported a resolution to strengthen the healthcare system's workforce by mitigating the impact of mass recruitment. It encouraged PAHO to create initiatives that encourage high school students to pursue careers in healthcare. The resolution is aimed at strengthening the region’s health workforce in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, which showed the importance of maintaining strong healthcare systems.