T&T to introduce plan for nursing aides

Cabinet has approved a program to employ nursing aides to assist medical personnel in the health sector.

Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan made the announcement Thursday at the post cabinet media briefing.

He said at the present time there are 890 registered nurses and 880 enrolled nursing assistants in the country. He added that this number is not adequate for the needs of the sector so government will continue to recruit nurses from other Caribbean countries and the Philippines.

With respect to the new program Khan said any citizen can apply to be employed. The requirement is one of the following:

• 1 O'Level
• School Leaving Certificate
• Any certificate obtained from Servol
• Any home-helped training programme

Khan also said anyone 21 and over will be able to access the Programme based on their life experiences as well as whatever training they have occurred without these other stipulations. 

He explained that the reason for the one 'O' level require is because persons with 3 'O' Levels are eligible to enter the nursing program at COSTTATT. He said the life experience requirement is based on the fact that many young people develop late in life." 

The minister said a lot of young people who would like to be caregivers and could be trained to be excellent caregivers don't have3 O'Levels. "This is a chance for our young people to enter the system of care and have upward mobility," he said.

Khan said the ministry plans to use retired nurses as educators in the programme. He is optimistic that the nursing aides program will help relieve the shortage of medical personnel.