Twenty Cubans coming to assist in nurse shortage

Darroux said the Cuban nurses will alleviate the problem at least in the short term. File photo

Twenty Cuban nurses will be deployed to Dominica “almost immediately” because of the shortage of nurses in Dominica due to migration.

This was revealed by Health Minister Dr. Kenneth Darroux during a press conference held in the Ministry of Health on Tuesday.

That decision was made to assist Dominica by Cuba’s Health when Dr. Darroux visited the Spanish-speaking island for an International Public Health Convention recently.

“The Minister of Health of Cuba would have agreed to dispatch to Dominica almost immediately, as soon as we are ready for them, 20 qualified nurses to include specialist nursing in the emergency room, theatre and some registered nurses to at least alleviate the plight,” he revealed.

According to Dr. Darroux, his ministry hopes that the nurses will help to alleviate the problem, at least in the short term.

He said the main complaint coming from local nurses is the high patient to nursing ratio because of the shortage “in order to address this immediate problem, and I say immediately because it is not going to solve the medium to long-term issue.”

“We need to continue our training…” Darroux said.

The nurses will include five midwives, two Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses, two Accident and Emergency, six registered nurses, among others.

Dominica has been facing a shortage of nurses in recent times, especially after Hurricane Maria.

Figures from the Ministry of Health show some 14 nurses including retirees departed the island since Hurricane Maria devastated Dominica last September.

In 2017, a total of 14 nurses including retirees also left the island.

This is a total of 28 nurses and officials fear this could have an impact on health services in Dominica.

Health Minister, Dr. Kenneth Darroux, said on a recent radio program that the nursing service in Dominica is ‘fast nearing critical levels’ but some people are making it appear worse than it really is.

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68 Comments

  1. To'ya
    May 6, 2018

    You never miss the water till the well runs dry…..thats what most of the public wanted so that’s what they are getting….the foreigners for better treatmemt,never understanding the conditions and stress nurses work under….being ungrateful and disgusting…never appreciating what we have till its gone………and y does the minister keep saying post maria like its the cause, when nurses have been leaving and left since before.

  2. Cow bite man
    May 2, 2018

    Long time i know allu want to kill Dominicans. Wicked set of people.

    • Filip
      May 3, 2018

      Hmm what it have cow and dog bitting man now… papamet.. u sound smarter than the dog that bitting man that always commenting rubbish…

  3. Rassheed
    May 2, 2018

    Nurse against nurse. Most of the nurses who have left the Country are strong supporters of the AM Scerrat, and those who remain to suck salt are still supporters of Screrrat. So it like dog eat dog. Heep sucking it.

  4. Rat Race
    May 2, 2018

    They can’t increase salary when all they doing is selling passport, begging and taking loan.
    How much longer will Dominica survive like this?
    Our GDP is in the Millions while other countries are billions of dollars ahead of us.
    Like i said before there is no clear path set for self sustainability. The people will continue to suffer unless things change.

  5. May 2, 2018

    Worst minister of Health
    Labour must goooooooo
    Labour must goooooooo
    Labour must goooooooo

  6. d-a born
    May 2, 2018

    So D/a doesn’t even have enough nurses now? What’s really going on in the place? I hope i’m wrong but it looks like the island is in serious trouble. No new opportunities, bad pay, corrupt gov’t, etc

  7. zandoli
    May 2, 2018

    So what is the government doing to combat that situation in the future? If they saw it coming, why did it get to the point where the patient to nurse ratio become so high?

    The minister lied and told the public that low nursing salaries had nothing to do with the nursing shortage. If he has identified the root cause of the issue, why have they not addressed it to get ahead of the problem?

    In typical DLP fashion, when you have any difficulty, instead of trying to solve it, you rely on foreign nations to take care of you.

    I don’t think I have seen a more incompetent bunch.

  8. J.John Charles
    May 2, 2018

    Alas papa,is this the cure? Dr.if I were you,for sure like the old saw I would be ashame

  9. Strupes
    May 2, 2018

    So under the supervision on the MATRON nursing has gone below zero and now I hearing that this same Matron is going to be the Permanent Secretary of the ministry of health? What! Is this government serious?

  10. Smh
    May 2, 2018

    Failed Matron
    Failed PNO
    Failed Minister of health

  11. Sammy Ettiene
    May 2, 2018

    Really? Cubans! Spanish!
    So now they have to walk around with interpreters at work? To facilitate communication with patients? What about patients privacy?
    That’s one concern I have

    The other one is from an experience: I had to go to the hospital once because I had fallen ill suddenly. I was attended to by a Spanish doctor who was very brash an impolite. She kept interrupting after she ask me to explain my problem…apparently she was eager to get rid of me. In the end, she wrote a prescription and sent me home. I noted with interest that the predominantly Spanish staff at the time said nothing to their colleague her manner, in fact, they seemed unconcerned.

    When I related my experience to my workmates, I was shocked to understand that that is how it is with those Spanish nurses and doctors. They have no time to ‘care’.

    The government is doing something about nurses leaving. Yes, but is it the right thing? Have they considered every every aspect of their solution to…

    • prophet for a profit
      May 3, 2018

      I went to cuba recently, and this is not the kind of treatment received at all in the medical industry. in fact ALL the nurses and doctors that i met with, if they couldnt speak english, the themselves FOUND soneone who did and who could assist you. what is our problem with Cubans? why dont we want them here helping us? Cuba has the best medical program in the Caribbean. That is a fact. i have seen it and been through it. they are very thorough in their examinations and testings. Now Sammy where was it that you met this Nurse? Was it here? where was the Nurse from? Because not all spanish are the same.

  12. Tobby
    May 2, 2018

    what the other nurses should do right now is that, 30 more have to leave because that is the gvmnt intention not to increase the nurses in Dominica pay, sowhat the gvnmt saying now is tht we don’t care because we can get cheap labor in Cuba

  13. Big Up
    May 2, 2018

    I support you Dr. Darroux on that move. There is a need for nurses and you had to take action to solve the issue

    • May 2, 2018

      And the best action is to import nurses???,
      What about training more Dominicans to be nurses???
      I swear some of allu sitting on allu brains :-D :-D

  14. Ma Booyah
    May 2, 2018

    28 nurses leave Dominica and that is a crisis? And 14 of those are retired nurses, I take that to mean they were still working. These are the issues that highlight where Dominica is as a nation. It is time to stop all this political B.S. and to get on with the job of making Dominica a place one can live in peace expecting that their needs will be met and their freedom will be guaranteed. I say this over and over again. I remember when Dominica was ‘sweet’, it can be sweet again, but I will take blue and red working together to make it happen.

    • prophet for a profit
      May 3, 2018

      you are right. Natural disaster is what will uncover the inadequacies of what has been going on for years. Not the opposition or some other non political entity. Mother Nature. they cannot argue and debate and cast blame with her, she is absolute and she doesn’t lie and steal. she will flip the script on you and pull your skirt over your head leaving your looking stupid if you do not have your business in order. This is exactly what is happen now. All the internal issues are truly beginning to surface. Dominicans had it too sweet. Let them see mizeh now!

  15. LifeandDeath
    May 2, 2018

    Just because Darroux was graduated as a Medical doctor someone thought he might make a good Minister for health, and that’s understandable. However, being a Minister in any field requires at least master management Skills. Now, the health Ministry under Darroux has not made strides at all and the massive exodus of Nurses is proof, not to count the numerous “accidental” deaths due to poor facilities at the National Hospital. Now in the spirit of resilience how does filling the void with temporary Cuban nurses make Dominica more resilient? Thanks to Cuba, but if anything Cubans should come to train our nurses, not to fill positions left by dissatisfied nurses. All the policies in Dominica seem to be reactive and treat only the symptoms of our issues..

  16. Smh
    May 2, 2018

    This government has to GO. Allu lack insight and foresight. This reactive government is not what a struggling Dominica needs.
    Labour is a failure and getting worse

  17. Eh
    May 2, 2018

    Everything sbout this is wrong. I would have love to say that I’m glad that we are getting the nurses to fix the shortage but that is just a small plaster on a chronic sore.

    This problem has been a long lasting problem. Dr Darroux and his government have FAILED to address this and rectify it. I am so annoyed and faustrated with this government right now.

  18. so true
    May 2, 2018

    Stop taking people for granted and put money outside to protect the workforce. People will always go where there is greener pasture.

  19. Channel 1
    May 2, 2018

    I want to know if Roosevelt Skerrit & his sycophants will now make use of the Princess Margaret hospital when any of them need medical treatment for some ailment or their wives need to deliver their babies.

    After all, if dem fellas can bring “qualified” Cuban nurses – some “with specialized training” to treat Dominicans and deliver people’s babies, Roosevelt Skerrit & his government members also should be willing to be treated by these Cuban nurses & the Dominica health care system.

    Laaabooooourrrrrrrrrrrrrr……………..

    Labbbooouurrrrrrrrrrrrrrr………………

    Laboooouuuuuuurrrrrrrrr………………………power

  20. prophet for a profit
    May 2, 2018

    I am thankful. my only concern is their ability to speak english and understand dominican dialect. Other than that i welcome them. Thank you cuba. you continue to impress me.

  21. jihan
    May 2, 2018

    Good job labour party,let the downfall continue.

  22. Observer 1
    May 2, 2018

    Fact: When Cuban professionals come here or anywhere else to work, a large percentage of their salaries is paid DIRECTLY to the Cuban government.
    Fact: The receiving countries must provide housing/accommodation, and other allowances/amenities for them while they are in-country.
    In the final analysis, it costs the tax-payers MORE to hire these Cuban workers than it would to improve/create better conditions for locals.

  23. May 2, 2018

    The mp is helping ,there is a shortage of nurses,let we all appreciate the short term remedy, to improve the government should offer the young generation bursary to help the nursing association instead of giving people money on the road side.

  24. Garvey
    May 1, 2018

    Cuba can build one the best healthcare system in the region and the world, they have been under embargo for many years.Dominica can do the same, but bad governance has stunt the Island growth.

  25. May 1, 2018

    Hahaha, we are not using our homegrown doctors and, nurses, because they don’t support Skerrit, we rather import dem
    Allu think Skerrit cares about allu, think again :-D :-D

  26. Ibo France
    May 1, 2018

    It’s good to have these additional nurses but this is just a stop gap solution. I’ve heard nothing about improving the long term working conditions and proper remunerative measures for the local nurses. I am very much convinced that this government poses an existential threat to Dominica because of its gross indifference to the welfare and wellbeing of the citizens. Skerrit and his lackeys were given a licence to drive things in Dominica that licence should be revoked forthwith.

  27. MILITANT DOMINICAN
    May 1, 2018

    I Mean Come On People! Did U REALLY Expect These Hard Working Individuals 2 Stay & Suffer When They Cane Make DAM GOOD MONEY elesewhere. Im Proud Of Those Of U Who Chose Ur Families Over Country, Wen Country Doh Give A DAM About U, Much Less Urs.

  28. LifeandDeath
    May 1, 2018

    Darroux is a clear failure in the health Ministry…the entire Cabinot it seems, are wounded sheep…Skerrit is the lone Wolf. So many Mijjisters, no results..No production of goods or services…Shame on DLP…Another example of how little these ppl understand about keeping their own at home..This Nurse situation has been festering for years…Darroux keeps it jiggy as business as usual.. no consequence, no shame, no answers to the citizens…

  29. May 1, 2018

    Oh my GOD DOMINICA finish under LABOUR
    Labour must goooooooo
    Labour must goooooooo
    Labour must goooooooo
    Labour must goooooooo
    According to Joseph Isaac better known as JI
    This Labour PARTY government is very incompetent

  30. Pioneer
    May 1, 2018

    So rather than fix the floodgates you directing more water into the stream. Only in Dominica…

  31. That tie
    May 1, 2018

    First of all there is something call tie pins. Hello

    Hopefully the Cubans will teach our nurses how it’s done.
    I really don’t agree with Dominicans criticizing the Cuban Health Care . I really think it’s time to broaden your knowledge.
    for crying out loud , Dominica is even more poor than Haiti.
    So when people come to assist us we must be grateful.
    Please find proper accommodations for these nurses.
    Proper transportation and security.
    And great support to them
    And don’t let the bullies attack them.
    Bienvenido nurses.
    We Dominicans always feel entitled but we cannot do better ,but always complaining.
    Health care for all. Be grateful for once
    .

  32. The One Of A Kind
    May 1, 2018

    Some how I feel this decision was done so you all don’t pay more…if that’s the case I’m wondering if I should really switch my vote…

  33. shewo
    May 1, 2018

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

    • MILITANT DOMINICAN
      May 1, 2018

      I Cannot See Mr! He Looking Like De ZeaZea Padner Monique Was Chasing In The Parker; Professor Ovalgee :lol: .

  34. The One Of A Kind
    May 1, 2018

    Whao…this is where I say DLP bad move…instead of increase Dominican nurses salary, you bring in a Cuban???
    Why is this guy a minister again???

    • Man bite dogs
      May 2, 2018

      The one of a kind, You are thick as a 4+4 plank of wood and you didn’t understand the point minister Darroux, was making do you, or is it just because you lots are so wicked people. :twisted:

      • The One Of A Kind
        May 5, 2018

        Man bites dog…most times I agree you but sometimes you are blinded so anything DLP does you agree with it…
        Skeritt could throw money on the street and I’m sure you would find a way to justify it

    • Anonymous
      May 2, 2018

      Alsanine move! Why do we not appreciate our own and pay them properly.

    • n
      May 2, 2018

      I do agree that our local nurses should be better compensated. But, we do have a shortage as well. So, we do need extra hands because no matter how much you are paid, you still only have 20 hours in a day.

      Please improve the local nurses compensation.

    • conscious
      May 2, 2018

      how does a salary increase solve a shortage issue?

  35. Pamala
    May 1, 2018

    I agree with u get the Cuban u have to creep before u walk

    • Zor Sot
      May 2, 2018

      they been creeping for 18 years, so when are they going to start walking

  36. Omg
    May 1, 2018

    Why is the Gov’t saying Dominica is doing better than the other Islands but on the ground many public officers are leaving the Island for greener postures.
    Can someone educate me in this situation?

    • MILITANT DOMINICAN
      May 1, 2018

      Bucz Is ONLY De PM, De Minisxters< & ALL Dere Ban BowBow 2 Eat Properly, & Rise Up

  37. Lil
    May 1, 2018

    The only thing I felt after reading this is anger. This is the best Dominica can do?

    • ?????????????????
      May 1, 2018

      Well Lil what are doing? Just getting angry? Come on join the Nurses clan and so some work to help alleviate the sick. It is a democracy. One cannot prevent anyone from living. No Patriotism. I self I love DA and I did not run after I saw what Hurricane Maria did. Many ran and now many running back. We have to work hard nothing comes easy. Another noteworthy point…. Who doing the agriculture???? even buying land to plant? Answer me please … hard working people and our people flunked do not want to work hard. I hope you Lil doing something to rebuild the country and not just getting vex. Too much vex not good. You survived Hurricane Maria… Thank God for life and put your hand to the plough ####Hard work#

  38. FloridIan diaspora
    May 1, 2018

    Nou fini bat !!!!

    • Man bite dogs
      May 2, 2018

      Yes that is what you low down Viperine water snake would like to see, but it will never happen as long Dr Skerrit is our prime minister …….

  39. Shaka Zulu
    May 1, 2018

    Pretty soon there will be 1000 police officers in Dominica and another 1000 defense force. To keep you jokers in check. How will the gov vet to pay that many security personnel. Nurses doctors teachers and most professionals will leave and will be replaced by NEP workers from cuba Venezuela and China paid for by friends. The money saved will finance the security apparatus. Skeririt will have 50 for himself the President 50 deputy will get 25 even the special branch officer that like he a best man in pm wedding will get his own security. After almost 20 years in power this is what it has become to and you guys there shouting like some fools labor ka twaville blaming evert failure on someone or Somthing. I would put a big fence all around Dominica let go a bunch of lions tigers and all kinds of animals close the airport so only entry is in possi by boat with a big sign saying zoo. Why a people accepting soo much BS is besides me.

    • Shaka Zulu
      May 2, 2018

      What is disturbing is the nurses are hurting and the gov is telling Dominicans we can go elswhere get replacement we do not have to pay. It seems like every dominican who look out for themselves are threatened to be replaced with foriegn employee. Contracts given to foriegn company because Dominicans speak out. Storm hit our police run foreign forces come kill citizens leave and no queries. Meantime the minister says its not about money and people have to make sacrifices. Gov gave themselves 50% raise in addition to all the perks they got when country has been doing everything on borrowed money and grants from other countries. No production. Where is tbe sacrifice. This labor gov will distroy this country before you people will realize and it will be too late.

  40. bro
    May 1, 2018

    they should have asked for at least 40 nurses, thats not even enough to cover those that left. But even before that- what are the solutions Darroux putting on the table?

  41. May 1, 2018

    We, Dominicans, keep shooting our selves in the foot :-D :-D

  42. AA
    May 1, 2018

    So how does this build resilience in the health sector? WHAT A BUNCH OF JOKERS

  43. BREAKING POINT
    May 1, 2018

    Instead of fixing and finding a solution to the problems they sweep it under the carpet. You are so right for at least a short time problem solved.. … then what? In the meantime nurses continue to leave. A bunch of jockers…stupz

  44. Rassheed
    May 1, 2018

    Dominicans are doped and stupid.

  45. Amino
    May 1, 2018

    How much they paying them?, not the miserable salary they pay our nurses I bet.

  46. Real truth
    May 1, 2018

    My Domincan nurses. If you think this Government cares a rats tail about you, think again,…..they would rather go to hell than give you the just wages that you deserve………until they become ill……..

  47. Dominican Passports
    May 1, 2018

    But what I seeing there nuh? 8-O Laborats like it so 8)

  48. Red Ants Bite
    May 1, 2018

    Right now Skerrit is rapidly selling Dominica in secret . He is doing his best to get everybody to voluntarily leave and if they don’t , he will find a way to frustrate and impoverish them to death so that his people could come and take over. We saw how he got the farmers out of their fields and the man is now at court with Salisbury farmers that simply asked for road to their farms so that they could become more productive for the good of us all. Any other administration would welcome that but Skerrit chose to declare war with the people to the point of even using expired tear gas on the people. But I put my had up because I helped to put Dominica in this …….. because I voted the DLP from 2000 to 2005. See what I did to my country man. Sorry Dominica I really did not know better and did not expect any leader to do that to our country. But the thing that hurts me the most is to see how the man moved his family from Dominica and they were not there to experience Erika or Maria

  49. Darroux you are making it worst, more people are going to die at the PM Hospital, there are enough English speaking islands in the Caribbean: Jamaica in the North to Guyana in the South where from where you could have recruited some nurses and pay them a nurses salary in comparisons to what the work for on their island.

    Meanwhile train out of work youths in the country; mail, and female to become nurses; there are mail nurses all over the world you know except perhaps in Dominica!

    The government Antigua brought nurses in from Cuba some years ago, with the same stupid intention as you are proposing, the Cubans arrived, and began steeping on the Antigua’s born!

    Ultimately the Antiguans’ at least one nurse took matters into her hands and almost beat a  Cuban nurse to death in the hospital! The Cuban doctors are quacks, so how much more efficient the nurses will be?

  50. Red Ants Bite
    May 1, 2018

    See where we find ourselves boy. See where Skerrit and the DLP put us. We find ourselves in a position where we have to import every damn thing. First, we had to import Banana plants because Skerrit and his gang caused Black Segatoker to destroy our banana industry. Boy have you taken time to think of Dominica having to import Banana plants? If that’s not evidence of a curse, then what is? 2. We had to import Bailey bridges 3. We had to import INSECTS to help with disease in our citrus industry. We have to constantly import our first lady because Skerrit cleverly sent her away longtime and whenever she comes to Dominica our first lady MUST come as a visitor. Why did he send her away? Your guess is as good as mine and DNO won’t let me say why I think it happened. 4. We importing Diplomats because Dominica cannot produce smart people that are capable to represent Skerrit. 5. We we have to import Advisors because we have none in DA. We have to import nurses, doctors roofers, helpers….

  51. boi
    May 1, 2018

    think them man wiil ever increase salaries when they can turn to Cuba

    • Fgk man
      May 1, 2018

      Your right … but they paying them Cuban nurses better than there own ..sick wicked fellas boi.. need to get rid of the government ASAP. . That hospital is a mess.. worst treatment .. they can’t save a life up therr… if u reach ther just know thats it…ur dead

      • ?????????????????
        May 1, 2018

        Cuba has the best medial personnel. Doctors , Nurses etc and stop saying what you want fgk man. Show me the proof. We got to stop that business of saying what we want with our tongue. proof

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