The government has pushed back against criticism of its decision to recruit nurses from Ghana, saying the process was properly authorized, legally vetted and carried out through a rigorous, in-person selection exercise designed to protect patient care and public confidence.

Senior officials from the Government of Antigua and Barbuda said the recruitment was undertaken under a Cabinet directive in response to persistent nursing shortages across hospitals, mental health services and community clinics. They said the initiative followed established public service, regulatory and immigration requirements and was not conducted hastily or informally.

Health authorities explained that the recruitment mission to Ghana was conducted in September and involved a senior multidisciplinary team, including nursing leadership, hospital administrators and public health officials. All interviews were conducted in person, allowing the panel to assess clinical competence, communication skills and professional readiness.

Officials said 190 applications were received, with candidates screened for eligibility before interviews were held. Of those interviewed, 127 were recommended for vetting by the Antigua and Barbuda Nursing Council, which ultimately approved 123 registered nurses. From that group, 112 were selected for deployment, subject to final professional registration, police and medical clearances, and immigration approval.

The government stressed that no individual acted unilaterally in the selection process and that all recommendations were reached collectively using predefined criteria. Authorities also said candidates who did not meet Antigua and Barbuda’s legal or professional standards were not approved, even if they were otherwise qualified in their home country.

Officials emphasized that the recruitment does not replace or displace local healthcare workers. Instead, they described it as a targeted stabilization measure aimed at reducing excessive overtime, easing burnout among existing staff and improving continuity of care while local training pipelines expand.

The first group of Ghanaian nurses is expected to arrive by the end of the month, with deployment planned in phases. Health authorities said the nurses will undergo a structured onboarding process, including orientation to the local health system and workplace standards, before being fully integrated into service delivery.

Government officials said the recruitment forms part of a broader strategy that includes expanding local nurse training through the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus and encouraging specialization among Antiguan nurses, with the long-term goal of building a self-sustaining national workforce.