The Ministry of Health plans to hire foreign nurses to address JDWNRH attrition and prevent total burnout

The nurses at the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH) are set to benefit from the Ministry of Health’s strategic plans to hire foreign nurses, addressing the critical rate of attrition and the need for specialized care. During the fourth Meet-the-Press session, the Health Secretary provided detailed insights into the recruitment process and the origins of these foreign nurses, ensuring that the best candidates are selected.

The Health Secretary, Pemba Wangchuk, expressed the ministry’s primary concern: providing quality service to the people and the government.

He said, “Compared to the previous year, the situation has not been good due to attrition, and today, looking at the situation, JDWNRH nurses’ attrition has reached 30 percent, which is quite a concern, and therefore, we had to go for different start-ups. One of which is foreign recruitment strategies.”

Addressing the origins of the foreign nurses, the Health Secretary said, “The ministry would not recognize where they should be from, and they can be from wherever, but as per our observation, most of them will be from within the region given the cultural context and the distance they have to travel to their place and here. Also, in terms of price we pay them, but we will not compromise the quality and expertise that they possess. What we need, they must be able to produce.”

The selection process will be based on the ministry’s requirements. “Once we finalize the selection criteria, we will be advertising, and at National Medical Services, they have to follow procedures, and we want the best to cater to our needs. The foreign nurses will go through a thorough assessment to ensure they meet high standards. This will include their qualification, experience, and ability to adapt to the specific needs of our healthcare environment,” he said.

Continuous monitoring and assessment are key components of the plan. The National Monitoring Centre will conduct regular assessments, gather feedback from patients and colleagues, and provide opportunities for ongoing professional development for the foreign nurses.

To ensure smooth integration into Bhutanese society and the healthcare system, recruited foreign nurses will receive orientation on Bhutanese culture and healthcare practices.

“This will include training on local medical protocols, patient care practices, and effective communication within the multicultural environment of our hospitals,” the Health Secretary said.

Regarding family accommodation, he assured that the families of foreign recruits would be eligible for dependent permits in accordance with prevailing immigration rules.

“We will go by the immigration rules and regulations, and assure them that there will be no trouble accommodating them,” he said.

Collaboration with the National Medical Services is vital for the success of this initiative.

“Our work is to address the shortfall of nursing staff due to attrition, and by bringing nurses from abroad, the National Medical Services can ensure their critical positions are filled promptly, maintaining continuity of care, and reducing the workload on the existing staff,” he said.

He emphasized the immediate need for these recruits, said, “If we do not receive them immediately, the ones we have in our system are already suffering and burning out a little.”

The Health Secretary reiterated that the recruitment of foreign nurses is essential to reduce pressure on high-demand departments and improve service delivery. The target recruitment will reduce pressure on high-demand departments and improve service delivery, he stated.

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