HE had worked in Haiti in the aftermath of the massive January 2010 earthquake that devastated the French-speaking country, and had spent two years previously working in Guyana. Now, Cuban nurse Juan Gonsalez says he is looking forward to lending his expertise to the Jamaican health sector.

He was one of 18 males among the 45 nurses who arrived in the island Tuesday to work under a bilateral agreement between that country and Jamaica. He and his colleagues were quite upbeat as they were heartily welcomed by local officials at the Ministry of Health’s King Street headquarters in downtown Kingston.

Chief medical officer at the Ministry of Health Dr Eva Lewis-Fuller (second right) and Cuban Ambassador to Jamaica Yuri Gala Lopez (right) share a joke with a male Cuban nurse (centre) while his colleagues look on. (Photos: Karl McLarty)

“We are happy on our first day and we hope that we will be able to fulfil our duties in Jamaica,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

“We plan to contribute in order to improve the levels regarding health for the Jamaican nation,” said the nurse, whose main focus is on intensive care.

Health Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson, who was scheduled to welcome the group on their arrival was absent due to his participation in a cabinet retreat. Chief Medical Officer Dr Eva Lewis-Fuller delivered greetings on his behalf.

“The 45 nurses cover specialist areas, such as ophthalmology, burns, accident and emergency, and haemodialysis among others; and are going to be invaluable in improving the level and scope of medical care in the public health sector in Jamaica,” she said.

Cuban Ambassador to Jamaica Yuri Gala Lopez said the arrival of the nurses would contribute to strengthening the relationship between Jamaica and Cuba, and pointed to the fact that it was an example of the active co-operation that existed between the two countries in the field of health.

“The dynamism of that co-operation is reflected in the fact that, with the arrival of these nurses, there are now over 130 Cuban health specialists providing technical assistance all across Jamaica,” he said.

Dr Lewis-Fuller assured that the influx of Cuban nurses to the island would not pose a threat to available posts for local nurses.

“I would like to make the point that these 45 nurses are here on special assignment through a special arrangement emanating from the Jamaica-Cuba co-operation initiative,” she said.

“These posts are still available for Jamaican nurses and we are still here welcoming you all to come and join the Ministry of Health in order for you to strengthen our services as local professionals,” said Dr Lewis-Fuller.

The nurses will be assigned to primary and secondary public health facilities.

“Our figures show that 17 of these nurses are designated for primary health care, and 28 are designated for specialist areas in secondary health care,” Chief Nursing Officer Dr Leila McWhinney-Dehaney said during Tuesday’s welcoming reception.