Joseph Cunningham, Gleaner Writer

DALEY

Health Minister, Horace Dalley, says Government is moving to address the current shortage of nurses.

According to Mr. Dalley, the Government is continuing to train more nurses and he added that there are plans for even greater intervention in the next budget year to deal with the shortage of specialist nurses at the Bustamante Hospital for Children, the Kingston Public Hospital and other facilities.

"We are prepared to spend the money to provide specialists to fill a number of areas in the sector that are in desperate need," he said.

Mr. Dalley was speaking on Friday, while welcoming 26 senior Nigerian nurses who will be working at hospitals and clinics in the South Eastern, the Southern and the Western Regional Authori-ties, respectively, under the 'Jamaican/Nigerian Technical Aid Cooperation Scheme.

Travel expenses

Explaining the arrangements, Mr. Dalley said the Nigerian Govern-ment covered the nurses' travel expenses to the island and that it will also pay their monthly salary of US$800 for the two years they will be working in the country. He added that the Jamaican Govern-ment would cover 'on-the-job' transportation, accommodation and medical expenses.

"The Western Regional Authority's greatest need is for staff to fill the demand for community heath care," said Celia Huggan, personnel manager at the Cornwall Regional Hospital. She says the additional staff would go a far way in conducting immunisation activities and providing maternal treatment at clinics in the region.

Carlton Nichols, health adminis-trator, Southern Regional Health Authority, said there is a great need for nurses to assist with accidents and emergency, medical and surgical services as well as community health care in his region.