Belize is grappling with a persistent shortage of nurses and pharmacists, a challenge that Health and Wellness Minister Kevin Bernard has highlighted as a pressing issue. Despite increased government support for training and retention, the country continues to lose healthcare professionals to larger nations. Bernard emphasized the critical need for nursing, stating, “Nursing is a necessity. We have been losing some of our nurses to bigger countries, so we must invest in encouraging more Belizeans to pursue this profession.” Similarly, the pharmacy sector faces a talent drain, with newly qualified pharmacists often being recruited by private entities. Bernard noted, “Pharmacy is a profession where graduates are quickly snapped up. We compete with the private sector to retain pharmacists, as every drugstore requires one.” To address this, the ministry has raised pharmacists’ salaries and plans to offer additional scholarships next year. Looking ahead, Bernard stressed the importance of strategic staffing for new healthcare facilities, including the San Pedro Hospital and the upcoming Belmopan tertiary hospital. “Training in these fields takes three to five years, so we must plan to ensure adequate staffing when these hospitals become operational,” he explained.