By ANNELIA NIXON

Tribune Business Reporter

anixon@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Nurses Union (BNU) is demanding sweeping reforms at the Ministry of Health and Wellness, arguing that years-long delays in confirming worker appointments are harming its members’ finances, delaying career progress and worsening healthcare staffing shortages.

Nurses staged a demonstration outside the ministry on Thursday morning as union president, Muriel Lightbourn, alleged that some healthcare workers hired as far back as 2022 remain without appointment or confirmation letters despite repeated assurances the issue would be resolved.

“There are still some nurses who are waiting for appointments and for confirmations from 2022,” Ms Lightbourn said. “There are nurses from the 2022, 2023 and 2024 cohorts who are waiting for appointments or appointment confirmations.”

She said the union has written to Prime Minister Philip Davis KC, requesting a meeting after raising the issue with both himself and Dr Michael Darville, minister of health and wellness, on numerous occasions over the past two years.

Ms Lightbourn said the delays have become particularly frustrating because foreign nurses recruited by the Government have already received contracts.

“What is a slap in the face to these Bahamian nurses is this,” she said. “Some of those Ghanaian nurses signed those contracts, they have now reached a point where some of them have already re-signed contracts, and these nurses are still waiting on appointments and confirmations.”

She argued that the absence of confirmation letters has significant financial consequences for affected nurses. “Some of them can’t go to the bank,” the union president said. “They can’t borrow $2 because they don’t have a confirmation letter.” 

Ms Lightbourn said community nurses conducting home visits have been unable to claim allowances because they remain unconfirmed, adding that years later they could be asked to provide proof of work completed without having received the necessary employment status.

“These nurses are literally going inside people’s homes to do home visits,” she said. “If something happened to them, they’re not sure whether they’re covered or not.”

Ms Lightbourn maintained that successive promises have failed to produce results, despite what she described as direct intervention from the Prime Minister.

She said she submitted a list of 53 nurses requiring appointments, confirmations, promotions and reclassifications during discussions with Mr Davis in 2024, when he instructed officials to resolve the matter.

“He did give directives for it to be done,” Ms Lightbourn said. “This is 2026. That was in 2024. We still fighting for these nurses.” She added that many of the affected employees are single mothers facing mounting financial pressures.

“When BPL comes to turn off their light, BPL doesn’t ask them, ‘Did you get appointed yet?’ They just turn off your light,” she said.

Ms Lightbourn also criticised the Ministry of Health’s human resources operations, arguing that staffing shortages cannot be addressed while qualified Bahamian nurses remain caught in administrative delays.

“I was told that there were 26 nurses that they did an interview with three years ago,” she said. “We’re talking about a nursing shortage here. Why can’t we get these people working?”

Ms Lightbourn called for sweeping changes within the ministry’s human resources department, arguing that persistent delays indicate systemic management failures. “If you don’t understand why human resources is taking long, fire them,” she said. “Move them and bring somebody who is willing to do the job.”

Responding to the demonstration, Dr Darville described the situation as “very sad” and apologised to the affected nurse,while indicating that the ministry is working with the Department of Public Service to expedite outstanding appointments.

“It came to our attention that a group of nurses were here in protest of the delay in their reclassification and appointment letters,” he said. “I do feel for the nurses who are impacted.”

Dr Darville said information relating to the affected nurses had already been forwarded to the Public Service Commission, and confirmed some appointment letters have been issued.

“Apparently a few of the nurses, I can't remember the exact amount, received their appointment letters, and those who showed up here were those who did not receive the appointment letters,” he said.

“We are now working diligently to resolve, and to speak directly with, [the ministry of] public service to expedite the situation. But once again, I feel the pain of those nurses.”

Dr Darville said ministry officials had identified incomplete documentation within some personnel files, but believed those issues had now been corrected before being forwarded to the Ministry of Public Service.

“Appointments are presently taking place,” Dr Darville said. “We’re looking into why the remaining individuals’ situations have not been resolved, and we expect answers by the end of the day.”

Following the protest, Mr Davis also pledged that the Government would resolve the matter.

“We are a country that values our nurses,” he said in a statement. “They care for us in our most difficult moments, and their service deserves respect, appreciation and fair treatment.

“I have heard the concerns raised today, and I want every nurse affected to know that you have my commitment that we will resolve your grievances. No nurse should face uncertainty because of administrative delays that affect career progression, compensation or the recognition you have earned through your service.

“I have directed the relevant officials to work together with urgency to address the outstanding matters relating to confirmation, appointments, reclassifications and any associated issues. Where there are administrative barriers, they must be resolved without delay. We will work until these matters are brought to a proper resolution.”