The first batch of 43 Ghanaian nurses has departed for Jamaica under a new bilateral agreement aimed at bolstering healthcare delivery in the Caribbean country. This initiative is part of a broader arrangement that will see about 400 Ghanaian nurses deployed to Jamaica. The nurses will support hospitals across Jamaica in specialised areas, enhancing the capacity of the country's healthcare system.
A video shared by Ghana’s Ministry of Health on Facebook showed the nurses preparing for their departure as they began their journey to Jamaica. Minister of State in charge of Special Initiatives, Rashid Pelpuo, addressed the nurses at Accra International Airport on September 26, urging them to be good ambassadors of Ghana. He emphasised the importance of their role in representing Ghana's image, culture, and sense of commitment.
The 43 nurses specialise in critical care, paediatrics, operating theatre, nursing and midwifery, emergency care, oncology, and mental health and psychiatry. They will be assigned to health facilities across Jamaica, with most expected to work under the Western Regional Health Authority and South East Regional Health Authority. The remaining nurses will serve in Jamaica’s other health regions and at the University Hospital of the West Indies.
Jamaica’s Minister of Health & Wellness, Dr Christopher Tufton, highlighted the significance of the nurses' deployment in supporting Jamaica's healthcare system. The agreement is a result of efforts to strengthen cooperation between Ghana and Jamaica, particularly in the health sector. This collaboration aims to address gaps in Jamaica's healthcare workforce.
Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced the broader arrangement in May 2026, following the revival of the Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation between Ghana and Jamaica after a 21-year break. One of the key outcomes was an agreement allowing Ghanaian nurses to work in Jamaica to support the country’s healthcare sector.
The departure of the 43 nurses marks the first phase of the planned deployment of about 400 Ghanaian nurses under the new arrangement. This initiative is expected to not only enhance Jamaica's healthcare delivery but also provide opportunities for Ghanaian nurses to gain international experience. The collaboration between Ghana and Jamaica is seen as a strategic move to foster cooperation and mutual benefit.
The deployment of Ghanaian nurses to Jamaica is part of a larger effort to address healthcare needs in the Caribbean region. With the agreement in place, both countries are poised to benefit from this exchange, which could lead to further collaborations in the health sector and beyond.
Key points
- 43 Ghanaian nurses have departed for Jamaica under a new bilateral agreement to support healthcare delivery.
- About 400 Ghanaian nurses are expected to be deployed to Jamaica under the agreement.
- The nurses will specialise in critical care, paediatrics, operating theatre, nursing and midwifery, emergency care, oncology, and mental health and psychiatry.
