The Anguilla Health Authority and the Ministry of Health have come up with a novel idea of attracting Anguillians, while at an early age, to the nursing profession. The intention is eventually to create such a response to the initiative that it would lead to a reduction in the island’s dependence on nurses and other health-care workers from abroad.

L-R: Ralph Hodge, Serene Carter-Davis, Vonetta Connor-Webster, Meridith Gumbs, Imogene Reid-Connor, Karson Borell and Jimmy Challenger

The idea is a nursing cadet programme which is to commence on September 14, at Campus B at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School, and continue until March next year.
The programme has won the support of NAGICO Group Insurances from St. Maarten with offices in The Upper Valley, Anguilla. In presenting a cheque for EC$9,222 on August 13, towards the programme, Jimmy Challenger, the company’s Marketing Manager, said that it was a very good initiative. “We thought that this was something not only to improve the island’s health services, but also to provide an opportunity for young, educated persons, fresh out of school, to improve themselves, and at the same time to contribute to their community,” he observed.

He thought it was an excellent opportunity for NAGICO to participate in such an education programme as a good corporate citizen in the territories it served.

Chief Nursing Officer, Serene Carter-Davis, said 21 students had already been selected for the nursing cadet programme and that they and their parents were excited about the new venture.

“Apart from getting the children interested in nursing, we thought we need well-rounded motivated, disciplined and educated persons come into the health field,” she explained. “The children will be exposed to the whole health system; to what is done at the hospital and how the Ministry is involved.” The CNO expressed thanks to NAGICO, for its financial assistance, on behalf of the Ministry of Health.

The subject areas in which the children will receive instruction, include First Aid, Fundamentals of Nursing, Ethics, Etiquette, Basic Anatomy and Physiology, Professional Behaviour; Effective Communication, Teamwork, Personal Health Care and Career Opportunities. The nursing cadets will also have an opportunity to be selected for the school’s Summer Placement Programme to serve at the health care facilities.

The students will meet at the Princess Alexandra Hospital three times a week and will be facilitated by Director of Nursing, Vonetta Connor-Webster.

Acting Chief Executive Officer at the Health Authority, Ralph Hodge, who was accompanied to the presentation ceremony by Meridith Gumbs, Human Resource Manager, joined in expressing appreciation to NAGICO for its contribution. He said nursing was an honourable profession; that there was a need to encourage more Anguillians to the field and that the cadet programme was a wonderful start.

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