BVI News

BVIHSA facing staff shortage at hospital, clinics

Acting Chief Executive Officer of the BVI Health Services Authority, Dr June Samuel, has confirmed a staff shortage at the Dr D Orlando Smith Hospital and community clinics across the territory.

The nursing shortage has been a longstanding problem in the BVI’s health sector. According to Dr Samuel, three nurses and a doctor arrived from Cuba approximately two weeks ago; however, there is still a gap that needs to be filled.

“Our main issue is nurses—a shortage of nurses. That continues to be an ongoing issue. We are recruiting nurses all the time,” Dr Samuel told BVI News.

Dr Samuel mentioned that they will be reducing the number of nurses contracted from Cuba in the future as they will be recruiting nurses through other avenues and in other countries.

“We are also continuing to work with the college on developing a programme here to support nurses that the public will hear about over time, as it progresses,” Dr Samuel stated.

The British Virgin Islands has an agreement with the Republic of Cuba, dating back to the pandemic, where the Spanish-speaking nation provides the territory with medical staff on contract. This agreement has continued beyond that period.

Dr Samuel also reported that although the shortage is mainly with nurses, the territory is also seeking doctors with at least four years of experience in specialised fields.

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25 Comments

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  1. hmm says:

    Maybe they gone St Thomas that does actually pay nurses. Teachers get paid better over there as well.

    Like 23
    Dislike 1
    • @hmm says:

      And they are also unionize as well. I don’t know why the BVI does not have a Nurses Union. Both Teachers and Nurses in the BVI is overworked and underpaid. At least they deserve $80,000 to a $100, 000 annual salary. They have money that is being wasted on stupid concerts, first class plane tickets and five star hotels with satin and Egyptian thread count sheets.

  2. Well says:

    Pay them more maybe they will want to stay.

    Like 25
    Dislike 1
  3. Simple solution says:

    Bring back the Cubans

    Like 14
    Dislike 2
  4. VI nurse on the outside says:

    Consider setting up a NURSE’S UNION and a salary of $120,000 per year salary and we may consider coming back home to help with the problem. If a NURSE’S UNION and the above mentioned salary is put in place, I will come back.

    Like 16
    Dislike 6
    • El Demonio Negro says:

      120K?LOLOLOLOLOL none you all worth that.

      Like 5
      Dislike 8
      • @El Demonio Negro says:

        We are so worth it. When your A.. is laying up down in the hospital, why don’t you tell the overwork and underpaid nurses they are not worth it.How about that you ignorant lack of common basic sense fool. Why is the BVI filled with so many ignorant non functioning lack of basic common sense way of thinking people? The Island is sinking because of dumb A.. people like you EL DEMONIO NEGRO.

        Like 13
        Dislike 2
      • @El domino negro or what ever you call yourself says:

        We are not worth it. HONEY CHILD!!!!!! We are worth that pay scale or more. Nurses are the backbone of the hospital and patient care. I see that you are a very ignorant person to post a comment like that. If all the nurses including the nurses from Cuba walk off the job today or tomorrow, the hospital will fall and crumble.

        Like 5
        Dislike 1
      • @ El Demonio Negro says:

        Wait until you need one. Then they’ll be worth their weight in gold.

    • Do your job says:

      lol the CEO don’t make that. Stay America with your foolishness.

      Like 7
      Dislike 1
      • @Do your job says:

        You are a typical idiot that stupidity should be considered a damn crime. YES, I will continue to stay in America with my foolishness and continue to draw my $125,000 dollar annual salary and full retirement package that I can live on comfortably each Month. @Do your job, you have to work ten different jobs to make $125,000 and fight for the Pennies that they are going to give you when you retire. Explain the foolishness STUPID!!!!!!

        Like 5
        Dislike 3
      • @Do your job says:

        To me saying that the CEO don’t make that just further highlighting the fact that nobody there making what they should be making or could be making elsewhere; Hence why they cant get nobody to stay there.

  5. Simple Solution says:

    Open a nursing school program in the BVI and have some of the retired nurses teach the courses with pay.

    Like 17
    Dislike 1
    • Very good idea says:

      Open up a nursing and CNA program on the Island. I agree, hire the retired nurses to teach and train the students.This will cut the cost of having to pay nurses from the outside and open employment opportunities for many people on the Island.

      Like 8
      Dislike 1
  6. Chuck McF*k says:

    Educated wastes all across Government and fake icon awards being lauded and touted. BVILOVE, we are the best.

  7. Perhaps says:

    Replace the Director of Nursing!!!

    Like 3
    Dislike 9
  8. Star says:

    Pay them more!!!

  9. But of course says:

    The nurses and teachers in the USVI is making more money than the nurses and teachers in the BVI. The nurses and the teachers in the BVI is making a mere nurses aid and teachers aid salary. A nursing program/school is very much needed in the BVI.

  10. Y’all please says:

    DON’T ENTERTAIN THIS ISLAND BACK OF THE WOODS BRAYING JACK… DONKEY SCREEN NAME DO YOUR JOB. GO BACK TO THE HILL TOP AND CONTINUE YOUR GRAZING ON GRASS AND WILD BUSH. HAVE A GOOD DAY BRAYING JACK…

    Like 1
    Dislike 3
  11. Si Mon Pow Err says:

    There is a scarface doc who has no problem paying the staff there for the quick notifications. Maybe someone can ask him how he keeps his people.

    Like 3
    Dislike 2
  12. Old day says:

    JS have to go she keeping back the student from coming home when they come home and apply you don’t hear noting againg from them over 2 year my cousin apply up to now she can’t hear nothing form hospital she is currently teaching at the the high school that hospital is a joke nurse will for ever go abroad and work them island nurse hate when we come home

    Like 1
    Dislike 1
  13. Well sah says:

    You making a bold statement you not bring in Cuban nurses . BUT you are short staff. That is poor management and leadership thinking
    That is why we will forever be where we are in this country
    Local young nurses come back and HR have them months waiting to get a job . They turn off and leave
    HR – in hospital needs to get their act togethet
    When young local nurses want to get experience you all hold them down . Blame your keep down management
    Then the experience Cuban doctors and nurses your all treat them like crap and put them to work under their juniors
    Shame on you all
    That is why this vacumn will continue
    Keep down management

  14. Not good says:

    I heard on man use to run three units and his take home after deductions was Onethousanrb800!per month
    That is only for the rent by some wicked and heartless landlord

  15. I from that hood says:

    You have person working for years and can’t get a raise of pay. The way how you TREAT your staff speak volume. The management is very poor. You care and treat your staff right. That’s all they begging for.

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