Surely, minister, charity begins at home?

THE EDITOR, MADAM:

I pen this letter with a mixture of curiosity and concern regarding our esteemed minister of health’s current sojourn in the Philippines, where he is, as busy as a bee, recruiting specialist nurses. As reported in the The Observer newspaper, on April 5, the minister, bold as brass, declared his ministry’s endeavours to explore possibilities for healthcare workers from that distant shore to grace our Caribbean paradise.

Like a bolt from the blue, this announcement has left many of us scratching our heads. Pray tell, Minister, are we to understand that these healthcare professionals include generally trained registered nurses? If so, this seems rather like carrying coals to Newcastle, does it not? For, as sure as eggs are eggs, we have hundreds of our own qualified nurses, bright as buttons and eager as mustard, sitting at home twiddling their thumbs, desperately waiting for employment opportunities.

It strikes one as peculiar as a three-pound note that while our own nursing graduates are cooling their heels at home, we’re casting our nets across the seas. Is this not akin to watering the neighbour’s garden while our own withers on the vine? Surely, minister, charity begins at home?

One cannot help but wonder whether this decision is penny wise and pound foolish. Would it not be more prudent to invest in our local talent pool, who are already well-versed in our healthcare system and cultural nuances?

I should be most grateful if the minister would shed some light on this rather puzzling state of affairs.

HORACE WILLIAMS

Concerned Citizen &

Registered Nurse