Reducing nurse shortage in the Caribbean key for next pandemic

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) says that reducing the shortage of nurses in the Americas, including the Caribbean, is key to a better response to the next pandemic

According to the health body, between 600,000 and two million more healthcare professionals, including nurses, are needed to meet the health needs of the population of the Americas

It, therefore, called for greater investments to close this gap and ensure the region has the personnel necessary to better respond to the next health emergency

“A well-educated, skilled, and equitably distributed workforce is critical to building resilient health systems, meeting population health needs, and better preparing for future threats and pandemics,” said PAHO Director Dr Jarbas Barbosa

During an event at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing in Baltimore, Maryland to celebrate International Nurses Day, the PAHO director highlighted the fundamental role played by healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and acknowledged those who lost their lives

According to Barbosa, the investment made by countries of the region in the health workforce to respond to COVID-19 was essential

However, he said the nursing workforce

“continues to face challenges related to shortages, poor distribution, and inadequate working environments ”

Barbosa said nurses represent 56 percent of the total health workforce in the Americas, making them the mainstay of health services

According to recent estimates, Latin America and the Caribbean have around 44 3 nursing professionals per 10,000 inhabitants, lower than the estimated 70 6 per 10,000 needed to meet the United Nations’ goal of universal health access and coverage by 2030

To address the future needs of health systems, the PAHO director called for a redoubling of efforts in three key areas: health financing, including education and retention of

US Customs ofcers discover cocaine load on ight from Jamaica

The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency says it seized over 12 pounds of cocaine on a flight from Jamaica on Thursday, May 11 at Philadelphia International Airport

CBP said the drugs, with a street value of about US$400,000, was on a flight that arrived from Montego Bay Law enforcement officers discovered the cocaine concealed behind a cargo hold blowout panel, CBP said

“CBP officers routinely examine aircraft spaces after flights arrive from overseas locations During a search of the Montego Bay flight, officers discovered a draw-string bag adorned with the face of reggae legend Bob Marley concealed behind a cargo hold blowout panel,” the VBP said

“From that bag, officers extracted five bricks of a white, powdery substance

“Officers tested the substance with a handheld elemental isotope analysis tool and identified it as cocaine hydrochloride,” it added

CBP said no arrests have been made, and that the cocaine was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations Philadelphia for further criminal investigation by the Border

Enforcement Security Task Force that operates at the Philadelphia International Airport

“Customs and Border Protection officers conduct aircraft hold inspections of international flights every day, so this cocaine seizure is both rewarding and concerning for us,” said Rene Ortega, Acting Area Port Director for CBP’s Area Port of Philadelphia

“It validates that transnational criminal organizations may be focusing on importing narcotics through Philadelphia again, and it is further proof that our continued diligence is essential and necessary to help protect our communities ”

CBP said officers and agents seized an average of 2,895 pounds of dangerous drugs every day at the US air, land and sea ports of entry nurses; quality of education, to ensure that future nurses are well-trained; and expanding the professional role of nurses in primary care to reduce gaps in coverage and access

“On this International Nurses Day, let us join efforts to work together to recover stronger and better from COVID-19, and make the necessary investments for the development of the health workforce throughout the Region of the Americas,” Barbosa said

PAHO said there are about 27 9 million nursing professionals in the world, 30 percent of which are in the Americas

In the region, PAHO said nurses account for 56 percent of all health professions, with 89 percent being women

Caribbean Migrants from

A4 agency, multi-country plan to prepare for the return to processing of Caribbean and other migrants under Title 8, the Biden administration said additional sweeping measures will include opening the first regional processing centers to direct individuals to lawful pathways; deploying a first group of additional troops to support border patrol; surging additional resources to manage increased encounters; issuing new rules to encourage migrants to use lawful pathways; and ramping up efforts to counter misinformation

The State Department said it plans to eventually open about 100 regional processing centers at key locations in the Western Hemisphere, and, in the coming days, will launch an online platform for individuals to make appointments to arrive at a centers near them