33rd Biennial CNO Conference: “Nurses are indeed the backbone of our healthcare system” – PM

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips has highlighted the crucial role nurses play in advancing regional healthcare.
During a cocktail reception hosted on Tuesday night by the Office of the Prime Minister for the 33rd Biennial Caribbean Nurses Organization (CNO) Conference, currently underway in Guyana, the Prime Minister said, “The theme for this year’s conference, ‘Nurses: Strategically Positioned to Move Healthcare Forward,’ is as timely as it is relevant…to the Caribbean Nurses Organization, I commend you for your continued work and commitment to unite nurses across our region, and advocate for their welfare. Your mission to empower nurses to provide efficient, effective care is one that we, as governments, must support wholeheartedly.”
This conference brings together healthcare professionals from across the Caribbean with the objective of developing strategies to strengthen the nursing profession and improve healthcare delivery throughout the Caribbean Region.
A release from the Prime Minister’s Office quoted him as saying, “Nurses are indeed the backbone of our healthcare system, and they occupy an important role in pushing the boundaries of excellent healthcare standards in our region. We saw the immense value of your sacrifice and your work, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was our nurses who stood on the front lines, often at great personal risk, to care for the most vulnerable among us.
“In 2024, our government allocated $129.8bln to the health sector to support the expansion of critical healthcare services, such as next-generation cardiology, new regional hospitals, and modern facilities.”

Telemedicine Initiative
“We are aggressively rolling out telemedicine to improve healthcare accessibility, especially in remote areas. This year, we advance that commitment with the addition of 25 additional telemedicine sites across hinterland communities. The construction and upgrade of healthcare facilities are another focal point as we work to improve our healthcare sector. Projects include the $31.9bln state-of-the-art Paediatric and Maternal Hospital, new hospitals across the hinterlands, and advanced diagnostic centres equipped with the latest technologies, like MRIs and digital X-rays,” the Prime Minister has said.
“Recognising the importance of skilled healthcare professionals, the Government is investing heavily in training programmes. Budget allocations for 2023 and 2024 include provisions for training 1,500 new nurses and upgrading 250 health centres.
Technology can support healthcare, but it will never replace the compassion, care, and insight that only a trained nurse can provide,” he divulged.
“One of the most important ways we can contribute is by investing in training and continuing education. It is essential that our nurses remain up-to-date with the latest advancements in medical science and technology. This allows them to provide the highest quality of care, but it also opens doors for career advancement and professional growth,” the Prime Minister also said.
“Moreover, we must ensure that the working conditions for nurses are conducive to their well-being. This means investing in healthcare facilities, ensuring proper staffing ratios, and creating safe environments for both patients and healthcare workers.”