16 more Cuban nurses join health service

KINGSTON — The capacity of Jamaica's public health sector to effectively deliver services to the public, has been significantly boosted by the addition of 16 Cuban nurses.

The nurses arrived at the Norman Manley International Airport on Thursday (May 5), where they were met by officials of the Ministry of Health, headed by Chief Nursing Officer, Dr. Leila McWhinney-Dehaney, and the Cuban Embassy, led by Ambassador Yuri Gala Lopez.

The nurses were hosted at a function at the airport. They are the second group of Cuban nurses to arrive here since 2011, following 35 in January. They bring to 120, the total number of Cuban nurses working in Jamaica’s public health sector.

Dr. Dehaney disclosed that they will be dispatched to the Ministry’s four administrative regions, with some being placed in the primary health care system and others in the secondary system.

She expressed confidence in the new recruits' ability to "rise to the occasion", and pointed out that the public health sector has benefited significantly from the contribution of Cuban nurses over the years.

She said she believes that they will deliver the type of health service and care they are used to in their own country, and will be able to adjust to the nuances of the Jamaican situation.

“We have a tremendous set of people on the ground who will work with you, who will make sure that your needs are met, who will make sure that your professional undertakings are to the best of your ability. So, don’t be afraid to step out with us. Don’t be afraid to work with us,” she said.

She said that the people of Jamaica believe in the nurses, because of the performance of those who have been here before.

“And when you do come to the end of your journey with us…we know that this country would have benefited tremendously from your contribution to the health services and the care of our people,” Dr. Dehaney stated.

Ambassador Lopez said the nurses’ arrival reaffirmed the dynamism of bilateral cooperation between both countries, which has facilitated the presence of over 130 health Cuban specialists in Jamaica.

By DOUGLAS McINTOSH, JIS Reporter