By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis yesterday expressed concerns about the loss of trained Bahamian nurses to the US, highlighting the country’s struggle to compete with high salaries and signing bonuses.

Mr Davis said he won’t “sit down and cry” but is committed to finding a solution. 

“All of our nurses are trained by the government free of charge. And, we have a system called bonding that requires you to work,” Mr Davis said during his visit to the Cat Island Business Outlook.

“But what happens is that the United States will say we will pay off your bond and just come work for us because there is a shortage of nurses in the United States as well.”

The Bahamas has long faced a nurse shortage as many seek better opportunities in the United States and Canada. In August, Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville told reporters the public health system was short about 450 nurses, including over 170 specialist nurses.

A month later, he said that number had decreased to 200, a figure the Bahamas Nurses Union disputed.

Mr Davis said the government makes significant investment in training nurses, who are regarded among the world’s most skilled.  

“We do invest a lot in our nurses and our nurses, once trained, are recognised as some of the most competent in the world. So we appreciate what has been happening, but I cannot sit down and cry. I have to go and fix this.”

The Prime Minister said between 200 and 300 nurses are trained annually, but noted that “our economy of scale cannot compete with the US”.

Mr Davis said he raised the issue with US officials, leading to the establishment of a $500m fund aimed at training new medical personnel across the Caribbean.

Reflecting on the impact of the pandemic, Mr Davis criticised the US’ recruitment of Bahamian nurses at a time when the country needed them most.

To address the shortage, he said the government recruited 50 nurses from Cuba, a move which led to him being accused of human trafficking.

“They accused me of human trafficking,” Mr Davis said. “So I had to ask them what do they mean? If you take my people and Cuba is going to provide me with these workers, what am I to do?”