Government officials have acknowledged ongoing challenges in retaining locally trained nurses, citing continued overseas recruitment and the inability to match international salary offers.

Addressing questions during Thursday’s post-Cabinet media briefing, Director General of Communications in the Prime Minister’s Office Maurice Merchant said nurses continue to migrate regularly in search of better-paying opportunities abroad.

“On a weekly basis, our nurses migrate,” Merchant said.

He said Antigua and Barbuda’s nurses are actively recruited because of their training and qualifications.

“Our nurses are being poached because of their standards, because of how qualified they are,” he said.

Merchant said retaining nurses once they are trained remains difficult, particularly when competing with institutions in North America and Europe.

“Unfortunately, there is not much except to try and match the pockets of these international institutions,” he said. “That is practically impossible for us to compete.”

He said financial realities play a major role in nurses’ decisions to migrate.

“Persons will migrate to greener pastures if offered lucrative arrangements,” Merchant said.

Merchant contrasted public healthcare systems with overseas institutions, noting the differences in funding models.

“Government provides health care free for Antiguans and Barbudans through our health centers and Mount St. John Medical Centre,” he said. “Institutions within North America and Europe, you must have insurance, or you pay a significant cost for visiting hospitals or healthcare facilities.”

He said the government continues to pursue local nurse training as part of its long-term strategy, even as it responds to immediate staffing needs through contractual arrangements with international partners.