Turning now to the country's healthcare system, if you tuned into last night's episode of Uncut on Channel 7, you'll have heard the conversation with Darrell Spencer, the President of the Nurses Association of Belize.
Spencer discussed the nursing shortage, and how the 10% cut in public wages will drive his nursing colleagues to leave Belize for better jobs in other countries.
Tonight, we pick up the conversation in which Spencer was explaining that the developed nations have established a strong retention program for their nurses:
Darrell Spencer - President, Nurses Association of Belize "They are doing 2 things that our government refuses to do. They dressed up their packages because they realized that nurses are so important to the health system. They provide retention. That is why the nurses don't pack up and come back home."
Jules Vasquez "The nurses are being attracted by higher salaries."
Darrell Spencer "Of course."
Jules Vasquez "And it's only reasonable that they go. They're being offered a high-paying or a good-paying job in a developed country."
Darrell Spencer "But, that is not the only reason they go. There are quite a number of nurses here in Belize, like myself, who have endured for 30 years, and don't really see going to America as the thing to do. But, ultimately, you become more and more frustrated. So, you decide, you know what, this is not working for me, and you go."
Jules Vasquez "What frustrates you?"
Darrell Spencer "I'm a professional for 30 years, Jules, 29, and September's gonna make 30. You come out from school. You get a job. You're a nurse. You have a respected profession. One would want to believe that after 20 years, that you would have a comfortable salary, that you are not living pay check to pay check. You may not have a 2021 car, but a decent little car that can get you from point a to point b. These are the things - that you come out, and you have a house. You can afford a house."
Jules Vasquez "So, you're saying on a nurse's salary, you can't afford those things. You have to scrape."
Darrell Spencer "You would have to be paying for all those 20-25 years to get that little house and no majesty of a house. A regular house, at our salary, will take you 15-20 years to pay for. I'm a professional. The world realized that nurses are professionals, and they're short. They say you know what - look at yourself, Jules. Let's paint a scenario. We're short of journalists in Belize. Does your salary go up or down?"
Jules Vasquez "It should go up. Scare supply creates more demand, creates higher prices."
Darrell Spencer "But we are different. Our Prime Minister just said you know what is true? Apart from the scarcity, the high demand, and the high prices, we're gonna give you a 10% cut. A lot of nurses have approached me now, the Association now, and the package that is being offered abroad are beginning to look more beautiful."
Jules Vasquez "So, you feel that we're going to experience a massive brain drain."
Darrell Spencer "A massive brain drain."
