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Nursing Personnel Convention, 1977 (No. 149) - Jamaica (RATIFICATION: 1984)

Article 2 of the Convention. National policy concerning nursing services and personnel. COVID-19 measures. The Committee notes the Government’s response to its previous comments, initially made in 2013, in which it requested the Government to submit additional information on any difficulties related to the shortage of nursing personnel, the current situation of overseas migration of nurses, as well as any targeted measures, programmes or initiatives intended to address these matters. The Government indicates that nursing personnel (including all categories of registered nurses, enrolled assistant nurses and registered midwives), make up the majority of the technical human resources in the public health system. There are currently 3,890 nurses in the Jamaican nursing workforce, out of a required number of 6,700 that are needed, representing a national nursing workforce shortage of approximately 58 per cent. Moreover, there has been a 20 per cent separation rate among the nursing workforce over the past three years. While this percentage is replaced through nine general training schools in Jamaica, a significant number are also migrating. The Government indicates that the ongoing departure of nursing personnel from the public health sector has placed significant pressures on the healthcare delivery system, leading to challenges such as: staff burn-out; increased absenteeism; junior nurses being placed prematurely in supervisory positions without adequate mentoring and coaching; staff shortages resulting in inadequate nursing coverage; and increased attrition among nursing staff. Recruitment agencies from abroad recruit nurses from Jamaica on an ongoing basis, leading to a significant reduction in the number of experienced nurses trained to offer specialized and critical thinking interventions to patients requiring this level of care. According to information from the Nursing Association of Jamaica, from October 2017 to September 2018, a total of 268 nurses resigned from the public sector, out of which some 95 per cent have migrated. The Committee notes the targeted measures taken by the Ministry of Health (MOH) to address attrition of nursing personnel. In particular, the Committee notes the measures taken by the Government, which include ensuring a positive working environment through supportive supervision and organizational management, offering flexi-shifts (shifts of varying lengths and staggered start times) to give nursing personnel flexibility to help them meet their personal obligations. The Government adds that additional measures have been taken, which include providing personalized orientation periods to meet the needs of new nurses, as well as onsite programmes such as childcare centres or gyms, providing sponsorships to enable nursing personnel to undertake post-basic training, specialization and advanced degrees, enhancement of career development pathways, ensuring the provision of adequate facilities and offering financial and non-financial incentives for excellent work, such as education grants and low-interest house and care loans. The Ministry is also engaged in international cooperation with countries for the training and supply of specialist nurses. For example, Jamaica is recruiting specialist nurses from Cuba and India, while the People’s Republic of China and the United Kingdom are assisting in their training. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed and updated information on the impact of the targeted measures taken by the Ministry of Health (MOH) to address migration and reduce attrition of nursing personnel. The Government is also requested to provide detailed updated information on the manner in which the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures adopted to mitigate its effects have affected the implementation of the objectives of the Convention, as well as challenges encountered and lessons learned.

Articles 3(1) and 7. Nursing education and training. Occupational safety and health of nursing personnel. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government, which responds fully to its previous comments.