PAHO official: Migration of health workers affecting the sector

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Constant migration in the health sector are one of the major challenges facing the sector, according to a Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) official.

Representative of Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Dr Gina Watson says PAHO is currently seeking ways to stabilize the human resources in health, because of migration.

“We have emerging and historical challenges that we are trying to address. I know government has already implemented measures in regards to increasing staff, now we are looking forward to how we can work together to build competences to retain the staff,” she said.

She said based on research, one of the main reasons of migration of health officials has to do a lot with self-growth and not necessarily moving to greener pastures.

“We have the challenge of emerging problems like the Swine Flu and we have to prepare for these. We also have to address issues that will also affect human health,” Dr. Watson added.

HIV/AIDS is also another area affecting health officials in the region, according to her.

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8 Comments

  1. January 14, 2014

    Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point.

    You definitely know what youre talking about, why waste your
    intelligence on just posting videos to your weblog when you could be giving us something enlightening to read?

  2. June 25, 2011

    I work in the UK as a nurse would I be able to get work in Dominica as a nurse.

  3. March 2, 2010

    THE PASTURE IS GREENER OVER THERE, HIGHER PAY AND UPGRADING YOUR SELF.

  4. February 27, 2010

    DON’T LET THEM FOOL YOU !! THE GRASS IS NOT ALWAYS GREENER ON
    THE OTHER SIDE ESPECIALLY IN THIS ECONOMIC TIMES. SOME ARE GOING THROUGH THE SAME STUGGLES AS DOMINICA BUT ARE TOO ASHAME TO ADMIT IT. ONE YEAR AFTER MOVING HERE THEY RUN AND BUY HOUSE AND HAVE TO WORK THREE AND FOR SHIFTS TO PAY THE MORTGAGE , SINCE THEY ARE LOSING THEIR TENANTS WHO ARE BUNKING WITH FRIENDS BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO JOBS. SOME ARE TREATED LIKE DIRT BY THEIR PEERS BUT HAVE TO SUCK IT IN. SO DON’T BE FOOLED BY WHAT YOU READ OR HEAR.

    THANK GOD FOR CREDIT CARDS.

  5. Janet Birmingham
    February 26, 2010

    Straight off, I think a dedicated nurse is a special human being, not many of us have that genuine calling – myself included. They are ‘essential’ workers and should be given the respect and salary they deserve.

    That said, for balance, I am looking at the situation from the other side of the problem. The problem of nurses leaving the region is becoming increasingly concerning. This trend is very worrying in Dominica as training is extensive and very costly and we are not reaping the benefits. I do not know anything about the system on qualifying but the nurses have to have a certificate proving they have undertaken a nursing degree – why not withhold the actual certificate, giving each nurse a “Qualifying’ reference number, keeping it on file, for a period of say 3-5 years after qualifying. Nurses would be required to work in Dominica during the 3-5 year qualifying/pay back period – call it what you want. This would be pointed out to prospective nurses before undergoing their training and a proviso of a legally binding contract that must be signed and Notorised. Immediately after qualifying, they would be free to attempt to find work in other countries, however, they would not have the Certificated proof to give to prospective employers and this would not be released by appropriate authorities in Dominica. After the qualifying working period had been achieved the nurses would be given their Certificates and would then be free to work wherever they wished. At least Dominica would then have the opportunity to benefit from the training they have provided. Am I way off track here, is something similar already happening?

    However, the Government has to do its part – salaries here will never match those of USA, Britain, Canada etc, that’s a reality, so Government must introduce innovative and developmental initiatives, benefits and ‘perks’ that attract nurses and in some way make up – though limited – for the lack of comparable monetary reward. Initiatives could include, first class working conditions, nice buildings, a/c or adequate fans; first class, up to the minute technical equipment; fast track promotions; job shadowing senior staff, including doctors; team-leader opportunities; enhanced pension schemes; consultant opportunities for senior nurses, more annual leave; unsocial hours working to be co-ordinated so nurses are not subjected to the harmful effects on their health of such work on a long-term basis; sabbaticals; part paid ‘specialise’ study leave; fully paid training for areas of acute shortage e.g. theatre nurses and midwifery etc., etc., The Government should also ensure that for each qualifying nurse a job is waiting for him or her. Supply should closely match the need! Situations may arise where the next schedule training may need to be reviewed or delayed if necessary.

    There is nothing more demoralizing than studying successfully for years and then not being able to find a job!

    • June 25, 2011

      Great post and all so true

  6. Zang
    February 25, 2010

    When i can get paid for my training, years of experience, when i will be able to pursue my dreams within the profession without doctors treating you like their maids, when i will be able to demand how i work so that i can have more meaningful time spent with my family instead of working back to back night shifts whether my salary can afford a baby sitter.When they will listen to you instead of bitching about a colored scrubs or a crog shoe…then i will think about staying. The salary in Dominica seems like is beg you begging for a salary you want me to stay? When i retire i still have mortgage paying when my colleagues in other countries have so many benefits plus a better salary?

    man for as long as i have strength i running…

  7. Well
    February 25, 2010

    Once upon a time there was a stipend given to Nursing students to help them along with their studies it has since disappeared. Whilst young people may be interested in getting into the profession is it essentially very difficult to keep up when there’s no source of income while in study. I remember when I trained in the UK I had a stipend but also the opportunity to work in health care facilities to earn a bit extra. That is non-existant in Dominica. Not only do they have to find the money and accommodation they have the disadvantage of not having the environment in which they can earn some money while they are studying. Maybe the health authorities along with the governments should come up with a scheme that once the student come unto the ward get a small monthly allowance to help them along. Most persons migrate because of that. Most persons I have spoken to wished they could have stayed in Dominica..but once qualified the pay scale is undesirable and they have to survive on that plus pay back loans to banks, friends and family which they can’t afford. You want to keep us on island here’s a start…and upgrade the system so that nurses are able to update their portfolio throughout their nursing career until retirement. That’s what I had available to me throughout my nursing career in the uk. There are so many opportunities available to the nurses but bureaucracy and politics prevails.

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