作者: admin

  • M&C Drugstore St Lucia is hiring: Pharmacist

    M&C Drugstore St Lucia is hiring: Pharmacist

    A prominent retail pharmaceutical outlet based in Soufriere, St. Lucia is actively searching for a qualified, service-focused pharmacist to join its growing full-time team. M&C Drugstore, a local subsidiary of the financially stable, globally expanding multinational conglomerate Goddard Enterprises Limited (GEL), has outlined an open role for a results-driven professional who aligns with the company’s core values of innovation, continuous improvement, and exceptional customer service.

    GEL has built its reputation around fostering purpose-driven work environments, where every team member’s contribution is recognized and supported. The company’s mission prioritizes balanced success that delivers value to customers, employees, business partners, and shareholders alike, with a dedicated focus on creating supportive growth opportunities that help staff reach their full professional potential.

    As a pharmacist on the M&C Drugstore team, the selected candidate will take on a range of critical responsibilities centered on patient care and retail pharmacy operations. Core duties include accurate, timely dispensing of prescription medications, counseling patients on safe medication use and proper drug therapy regimens, and answering clinical questions from external healthcare providers. The role also requires overseeing efficient medication procurement and storage, maintaining fully compliant, up-to-date patient and operational records, supporting periodic company-wide stock-taking processes, and driving retail sales growth while improving patient retention. Additionally, the successful candidate will supervise pharmacy technicians and support staff, organize daily team workflows, and ensure full adherence to all local pharmaceutical regulatory standards.

    To be considered for the position, candidates must meet a set of clear eligibility requirements. Applicants need to hold either an Associate Degree or Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy, have a minimum of two years of hands-on experience in professional pharmacy practice, and be eligible to obtain official registration with the St. Lucia Pharmacy Council. Required soft skills and competencies include a demonstrated commitment to service excellence and patient-centered care, strong interpersonal and communication skills (both written and oral), working knowledge of St. Lucia’s Pharmacy Act and associated regulations, proven ability to lead and supervise a team to meet organizational goals, sound analytical and decision-making skills, a general understanding of the retail pharmaceutical sector, and basic computer proficiency including competency in Microsoft Word and Excel.

    The selected candidate will receive a competitive remuneration and benefits package tailored to their level of professional experience. Benefits include access to the company’s group life and medical insurance plans, ongoing formal training and professional development opportunities, and eligibility for GEL’s Employee Share Option Plan (ESOP), which allows qualifying staff to become partial owners of the conglomerate and share in the company’s continued growth.

    This is an opportunity to join a dynamic, mission-focused organization that celebrates team achievements and prioritizes employee advancement. Interested candidates can submit their applications through the official listing portal at the link: https://tinyurl.com/yc7hkah6. This position posting is presented by M&C Drugstore, and NOW Grenada holds no responsibility for the content of this contributor posting, with a dedicated channel available for reporting abusive content.

  • SEOB en IMF: Suriname nog onvoldoende voorbereid op olie-inkomsten

    SEOB en IMF: Suriname nog onvoldoende voorbereid op olie-inkomsten

    As Suriname prepares to tap into its emerging offshore oil and gas reserves that promise to deliver billions in new state revenue, two leading financial oversight bodies — the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Suriname Economic Oversight Board (SEOB) — have issued urgent calls for sweeping structural reforms to avoid a repeat of the country’s past economic crises. Both institutions warn that without stronger financial institutions, tightened fiscal discipline and greater governance transparency, the incoming oil windfall risks being mismanaged rather than driving long-term inclusive growth.

    In its latest technical assistance report focused on Suriname’s fiscal preparedness, the IMF acknowledges that the South American nation has already taken initial positive steps to update its regulatory framework, including reforms to its accounting law and the establishment of a national Savings and Stabilization Fund designed to manage volatile commodity revenue. However, the fund stresses that practical implementation of these reforms has fallen drastically behind schedule. Key governing bodies, enforcement decisions and independent oversight mechanisms required for the new system to operate effectively have yet to be put in place, the report notes.

    The IMF’s core warning centers on the risk that unregulated oil revenue could trigger the same boom-and-bust economic cycle that has plagued many resource-dependent developing nations. Without a robust fiscal framework in place, the fund argues, incoming oil money could lead to unsustainable expansion of government spending, a renewed rise in national debt and widespread macroeconomic instability. To mitigate these risks, the IMF highlights the critical need for clear binding fiscal rules, standardized transparent public spending reporting and fully independent oversight of all state expenditures drawn from oil revenue.

    Looking at the role of the newly established Savings and Stabilization Fund, the IMF outlines that the vehicle is intended to serve two core long-term purposes: acting as a financial buffer to absorb sudden swings in global oil prices, and preserving a share of resource wealth for future generations of Surinamese. But the fund makes clear that these goals can only be achieved if the fund operates under strict, legally binding rules for withdrawals, debt management and independent external oversight.

    In its own latest public bulletin, the SEOB echoed the IMF’s concerns and raised additional red flags about unresolved structural vulnerabilities in Suriname’s economy. The board notes that the country continues to grapple with persistent structural government deficits, a still-unsustainable high national debt burden and chronically weak institutional capacity across government agencies. Beyond fiscal risks, the SEOB warns that Suriname’s economy remains overly reliant on mining and oil extraction, with meaningful progress on broad-based economic diversification lagging far behind what is needed to build long-term resilience.

    The SEOB also drew attention to a separate, underreported risk to Suriname’s oil sector ambitions: the recent shutdown of the Anti-Money Laundering Project Implementation Unit (AML-PIU), a specialized body that led the country’s national efforts to counter money laundering and terrorist financing. The oversight board warns that the dissolution of this unit could cause severe damage to Suriname’s international reputation at a critical time, when the country is courting major foreign direct investment from global energy companies to develop its new oil and gas projects. A weakened anti-financial crime framework could lead to increased international scrutiny, restricted access to global financial markets and deter potential foreign investors, the board argues.

    Both the IMF and SEOB agree that the coming half-decade will be a make-or-break period for Suriname’s long-term economic trajectory. Without urgent action to address institutional weaknesses and implement promised structural reforms, both bodies warn, the country risks squandering its once-in-a-generation oil windfall and repeating the patterns of economic crisis, budget collapse and governance instability that have held back growth for decades.

  • Navy aviators eject safely after jets collide at Idaho airshow

    Navy aviators eject safely after jets collide at Idaho airshow

    A dramatic mid-air collision between two U.S. Navy electronic warfare aircraft unfolded over southern Idaho on Saturday during a public air demonstration, leaving aviation officials and spectators shaken but relieved after all crew members escaped to safety. Military spokespersons confirmed that the incident occurred at the Gunfighter Skies airshow, a popular annual aviation event hosted near Mountain Home Air Force Base, approximately 40 miles south of Idaho’s capital city of Boise. The two aircraft involved in the crash were identified as EA-18G Growler jets, specialized radar-jamming aircraft that are a core component of modern Navy carrier air wings. In the immediate aftermath of the collision, all four aviators assigned to the two jets successfully activated their ejection systems and parachuted out of the damaged aircraft before the craft crashed. As of the latest update from military command, no fatalities have been recorded from the incident. Officials have not yet released additional information regarding whether any of the ejected aviators suffered minor or major injuries, nor have they confirmed whether the falling wreckage caused any damage to nearby infrastructure or injuries to spectators and personnel on the ground. The Gunfighter Skies airshow, which draws aviation enthusiasts from across the Pacific Northwest each year, features both civilian aerobatic displays and demonstrations of U.S. military air capability. Organizers have not yet announced whether the remaining scheduled events for the show will be canceled following the collision. Military aviation accident investigators have launched a probe into the cause of the collision, with a preliminary report expected in the coming weeks.

  • Antigua Cruise Port Reports Progress on Waterfront Boardwalk and Commercial Units

    Antigua Cruise Port Reports Progress on Waterfront Boardwalk and Commercial Units

    Antigua Cruise Port, a key infrastructure hub driving the island nation’s tourism-dependent economy, has recently announced notable milestones in its ongoing waterfront revitalization project, confirming steady progress on both the public boardwalk and new commercial retail units.

    The transformative initiative, which first broke ground to answer growing demand from cruise line operators and millions of annual visitors, is designed to overhaul Antigua’s outdated cruise waterfront into a modern, visitor-friendly destination that complements the island’s reputation as a top Caribbean leisure stop. According to project updates from port leadership, construction teams have already completed the foundational phase for the new multi-use waterfront boardwalk, a pedestrian-focused corridor that will connect arrival terminals to nearby downtown attractions and local waterfront view points. When finished, the boardwalk will offer wide walking paths, shaded rest areas, public art installations highlighting Antigua’s cultural heritage, and unobstructed views of the Caribbean Sea, creating a more welcoming experience for guests stepping off cruise ships.

    Parallel to boardwalk construction, work on the new commercial units is also moving ahead on schedule. These flexible retail and hospitality spaces are being built to accommodate a mix of local small businesses, regional artisan vendors, and well-known international brands, giving visitors more options for dining, shopping, and cultural experiences before they explore the rest of the island. Port officials note that the commercial component is intentionally structured to prioritize local entrepreneurs, helping to keep more tourism revenue within Antigua’s local economy rather than flowing to outside operators.

    Industry analysts point out that the project’s progress comes at a critical time for Caribbean cruise tourism, which has seen a strong rebound in passenger volumes since the end of global pandemic travel restrictions. By upgrading its port infrastructure, Antigua is positioning itself to capture a larger share of the growing cruise market, attract larger, newer cruise ships that require modern facilities, and extend the average length of visitor stays in the country. Port management has reaffirmed that the entire project remains on track for its projected completion date, with no expected delays to the current construction timeline that would disrupt opening plans.

    Local business leaders have welcomed the progress, noting that the improved waterfront and new commercial spaces are expected to drive increased foot traffic to surrounding neighborhoods and create new long-term job opportunities for Antiguan residents. The project represents a key investment in Antigua’s tourism future, laying the groundwork for sustained economic growth in the cruise sector for years to come.

  • ABAVA League Delivers Thrilling Matches at YMCA Sports Complex

    ABAVA League Delivers Thrilling Matches at YMCA Sports Complex

    The YMCA Sports Complex recently played host to a riveting stretch of ABAVA League matches, turning the venue into a hub of energetic competition that kept spectators on the edge of their seats from opening tip-off to final whistle across every fixture. Local sports fans filled the stands, eager to cheer on their favorite hometown teams and watch emerging amateur talent showcase their skills on a competitive regional stage.

    Multiple matches went down to the final minutes, with underdog teams pushing favored squads to the limit and delivering several upset results that have shaken up the league’s mid-season standings. League organizers reported that turnout for the event exceeded initial expectations, with a noticeable increase in young fans attending to support community-based basketball (the most common ABAVA competition format).

    Representatives from the YMCA noted that hosting the ABAVA League aligns with the organization’s core mission of promoting accessible recreational and competitive sports for people of all ages. They also added that the league has helped boost local community engagement with the complex, leading to increased interest in open gym sessions and youth development programs hosted at the venue. Players across participating teams echoed the positive energy, noting that the well-maintained facilities and energetic crowd created the ideal environment for high-quality competitive play, with many already looking forward to the next round of fixtures.

  • Carlisle Bay Employee Kalin Fontaine Ranked Among Top 10 Hospitality Professionals Globally

    Carlisle Bay Employee Kalin Fontaine Ranked Among Top 10 Hospitality Professionals Globally

    A standout hospitality worker from Antigua has cemented her place among the world’s elite luxury service providers, after being honored with a 2026 Leading Quality Assurance (LQA) Sirius Award, one of the industry’s most prestigious recognitions for frontline hospitality excellence.

    Officials from Carlisle Bay, the five-star Antiguan resort where Kalin Fontaine has built her career, confirmed the achievement in an official statement. Fontaine was selected as one of just 100 global honorees for the 2026 LQA Sirius Awards, an accolade that draws thousands of nominations from luxury hospitality properties across the globe. Out of this select group of 100, Fontaine climbed to a top 10 ranking, a historic milestone for Caribbean hospitality.

    Notably, Fontaine is the only professional from the entire Caribbean region to earn a spot on this year’s list of awardees, all of whom are drawn from properties affiliated with Leading Hotels of the World. This distinction highlights not just Fontaine’s individual talent, but also the growing reputation of Caribbean luxury hospitality on the global stage.

    The LQA Sirius Awards were created to shine a spotlight on individual team members who go above and beyond to deliver transformative luxury guest experiences. Unlike industry awards that recognize properties or brands, this honor centers frontline workers, celebrating those who win guests over through sincere warmth, proactive intuitive service, and one-of-a-kind stays that leave lasting impressions.

    Fontaine first joined the Carlisle Bay resort team back in 2018, and over nearly a decade has built a reputation for her unwavering dedication to guests, meticulous attention to every detail of a visitor’s stay, and a natural ability to build genuine connections with people from all over the world. In their statement, resort leadership described Fontaine as a true ambassador for both Carlisle Bay and the broader Caribbean hospitality sector, noting that her work embodies the warm, welcoming culture the region is known for.

    Leadership at Carlisle Bay emphasized that Fontaine’s award is far more than an individual win: it is a reflection of the consistent culture of excellence that the entire resort team cultivates every day. Calling the well-earned honor a testament to the property’s commitment to elevating luxury service standards, the resort extended its formal congratulations to Fontaine for her groundbreaking achievement.

  • Senator Lamin Newton Praises Alzarri Joseph Following Falcons Draft Selection

    Senator Lamin Newton Praises Alzarri Joseph Following Falcons Draft Selection

    One of Antigua and Barbuda’s leading government senators has publicly hailed top domestic fast bowler Alzarri Joseph following his selection to the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons roster for the 2026 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) season. Lamin Newton, who serves as the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) caretaker for the All Saints East and St. Luke constituency, shared his reaction in an official statement released this week, emphasizing that the bowler’s selection fills him with immense national pride.

    In his remarks, Newton stressed that Joseph has long served as an exceptional ambassador for the dual-island nation across elite regional and international cricket competitions. “Time and again, Alzarri has stepped onto the world’s biggest cricket pitches carrying the flag of Antigua & Barbuda, doing so with unmatched pride, relentless passion and consistent excellence,” Newton wrote in the statement.

    Beyond Joseph’s on-field achievements, Newton also highlighted the star pacer’s quiet, consistent commitment to lifting up local communities and supporting grassroots causes across the country. According to the senator, the fast bowler’s consistent willingness to show up for his fellow citizens and stand alongside local communities offers a powerful reflection of his deep patriotism and unwavering dedication to lifting up his home country.

    Newton closed his statement by extending his warmest wishes to the West Indies national team pacer for a successful, injury-free 2026 CPL campaign, noting that Joseph’s career has already become a major source of inspiration for the next generation of young Antiguan and Barbudan cricketers. “Through his commitment to hard work, his relentless discipline and his unshakable love for his country, Alzarri sets an example that every young athlete in our nation can aspire to,” Newton added.

    The selection of Joseph marks one of the first high-profile signings unveiled by the Falcons as the franchise builds out its competitive squad for the upcoming 2026 CPL season, with the fast bowler standing out as one of the most high-profile domestic and regional players to join the team’s roster ahead of the upcoming tournament.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Building Craft Programme Participants Honoured at Marlborough House

    Antigua and Barbuda Building Craft Programme Participants Honoured at Marlborough House

    On May 8, 2026, a meaningful certificate presentation ceremony was held at Marlborough House, the London headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat, to formally recognize participants who completed the landmark Building Craft Programme for Antigua and Barbuda. The event celebrated the successful conclusion of a specialized heritage building skills training initiative delivered in the United Kingdom, organized by The King’s Foundation in strategic partnership with three key stakeholders: the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies, the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Commonwealth Heritage Forum.

    The day’s agenda began with a warm welcome for attendees, followed by a guided tour of Marlborough House itself—a centuries-old historic building that served as a living example of the heritage craft work the programme promotes. After the tour, official remarks were delivered by senior leaders from all partner organizations, before the formal certificate presentation got underway. Her Excellency Karen-Mae Hill, Antigua and Barbuda’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, took on the honor of presenting certificates to each graduating trainee, offering personal congratulations to every participant for their commitment and successful completion of the rigorous training course.

    Joining Hill in addressing the gathering were Jeremy Cross, Associate Director of Championing and Networks at The King’s Foundation; Kasia Howard, Senior Education Manager at the same institution; and Philip Davies OBE, Founder and Consultant Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Heritage Forum. Across all addresses, speakers centered two core themes: praise for the trainees’ consistent dedication throughout the programme, and emphasis on the long-term value of the skills the participants gained. The craft training, they noted, directly supports three critical national priorities for Antigua and Barbuda: preservation of the nation’s unique built heritage, advancement of more sustainable construction practices, and expansion of local professional capacity that drives inclusive economic growth.

    During their immersive training period in the UK, participants gained hands-on practical experience across a full suite of traditional heritage building techniques. The curriculum covered foundational and specialized skills alike, including traditional geometric measurement, technical drawing and design for historic structures, timber framing, plastering, traditional blacksmithing, lime mortar mixing and application, stone masonry, and conservation of historic brickwork. This in-depth training exposed participants to niche professional knowledge and evidence-based conservation practices that they can directly apply to the protection and restoration of at-risk historic buildings across Antigua and Barbuda once they return home.

    Reflecting on the transformative impact of the programme, graduating trainee Jace Gore shared his perspective on the experience. “This opportunity and guidance from expert tutors has given us the skills to help preserve our historic buildings and heritage at home in Antigua and Barbuda,” Gore said, capturing the collective sentiment of the participating cohort. All trainees have now returned to their home country, where they are expected to deploy their newly acquired skills across three key areas: heritage restoration projects, sustainable local construction initiatives, and broader national development efforts that protect the country’s cultural identity for future generations.

    Antigua and Barbuda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reaffirmed its commitment to the programme’s mission, expressing enthusiasm for having supported the development of the initiative alongside the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies and The King’s Foundation. The partnership has created a scalable model for skills development that ties cultural heritage preservation to sustainable construction and long-term economic resilience, creating a blueprint that could be replicated for other small island nations seeking to protect their historic built environments.

  • Homicide Bureau joins  search for Angelo

    Homicide Bureau joins search for Angelo

    A wide-ranging, methodical investigation is still underway to locate two-year-old Angelo Tobias Plaza, a young child who went missing from the Goodwood area of Tobago, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has confirmed in an official media statement.

    Officially, the case remains classified as a missing person inquiry, but law enforcement has expanded its investigative resources by bringing in the specialized Homicide Bureau of Investigations alongside the Special Victims Department to support the probe. These additional units were activated to ensure every possible line of inquiry is fully explored, authorities explained.

    The TTPS first received the official report of Angelo’s disappearance on May 11, and police launched a coordinated, multi-agency search operation immediately after the alert was filed. Search teams combed through the toddler’s residential neighborhood, the surrounding local terrain, and the nearby coastal waters where the child was last reportedly spotted by witnesses.

    As part of the ongoing investigative process, detectives have already interviewed multiple people connected to the case and collected formal statements for evidence. Per standard protocol for cases of this nature, investigators are actively examining circumstances related to parental responsibility, which police have identified as a critical line of inquiry. Currently, the child’s parents are cooperating with law enforcement’s questions, a standard step when potential breaches of parental duty are under consideration.

    Describing the matter as a highly sensitive and active investigation, TTPS officials confirmed that the Commissioner of Police has approved redirecting extra resources to boost the probe. This includes additional support for the force’s Child Protection Unit and the assignment of a dedicated Legal Officer flown in from Trinidad to assist with the case.

    In its statement, the TTPS emphasized its commitment to upholding the highest professional standards throughout the investigation, committing to procedural fairness and full respect for the constitutional rights of all parties involved. The service also noted it would only share updates with the public in a measured, responsible way that does not compromise the case.

    Acknowledging that the unexplained disappearance of the young toddler has drawn widespread concern across the national community, police have issued a public appeal for restraint. Law enforcement urged residents to avoid speculative commentary that could interfere with the investigative process, and warned against sharing potential evidence or sensitive case information that has already been turned over to investigators — disclosures that officials say could undermine the integrity of the probe.

    Search efforts are still ongoing, and the TTPS is asking any member of the public with information that could help locate Angelo to reach out to investigators through multiple confidential channels. Tips can be submitted to the Scarborough Police Station, the national emergency tip line 555, the anonymous hotline 800-TIPS, or the Tobago 211 community service line. The TTPS says it will release official updates to the public once new, verifiable information becomes available.

  • NCRHA CITES ‘SUCCESS’

    NCRHA CITES ‘SUCCESS’

    Nine months after taking control of the North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA), the institution’s new board has released a public statement defending its corrective cost-cutting agenda, while acknowledging it inherited a deeply broken healthcare system riddled with fiscal mismanagement and dangerous operational failures from the prior administration. In a statement issued Saturday, the board outlined the depth of the crisis it inherited, detailing hundreds of millions of dollars in unaccounted spending, unpaid vendor debts, and widespread infrastructure and equipment breakdowns that left patient care severely compromised.\n\nAmong the most damaging findings uncovered by the new board were hundreds of millions of dollars in payments to service providers made without competitive tender or formal contracts: over $124 million paid to a single janitorial firm across two years, and roughly $250 million disbursed to security companies over a decade, all through no-bid arrangements. When the new leadership took office in August 2025, it found more than $350 million in outstanding payments owed to more than 300 suppliers, leading dozens of vendors to suspend critical services. Annual overtime pay topped $98 million with no accountability for productivity or output.\n\nBeyond the fiscal chaos, the board reported systemic operational failures that directly harmed patients across its regional facilities. These included months-long waits for elective surgeries, massive backlogs for diagnostic procedures, extended wait times for CT and MRI scans, and hours-long delays for outpatient clinic appointments. Accident and Emergency departments operated below acceptable safety standards, with broken elevators, non-functional standby generators, failed climate control systems, and out-of-service critical imaging equipment including MRIs, CT scanners and X-ray machines. Many facilities also faced widespread electrical and structural deficiencies that disrupted daily care.\n\nThrough aggressive cost-cutting measures and stricter fiscal oversight, the board says it has now freed up financial capacity to reverse these deficiencies and expand access to care. Planned and implemented improvements include adding Saturday operating sessions, extending weekday operating room hours to 6 p.m., offering overtime for diagnostic imaging staff, adding nursing capacity to speed up patient throughput, and implementing a $75 incentive rate for registered nurses working extra shifts, alongside overtime pay for other frontline clinical staff. The authority has prioritized expanding access to high-priority procedures including cancer surgeries, cardiac operations, and acute stroke care, while working to cut the inherited backlog of delayed and canceled procedures that have disrupted care for thousands of patients and their families.\n\nThe board stressed its commitment to ending unnecessary surgical delays and making wait times reasonable for all patients seeking care, and publicly recognized the sacrifice of nurses who have voluntarily worked extended shifts to maintain care continuity amid staffing shortages. It noted that 50 additional nurses have been interviewed and hired in the past two months to improve staffing ratios and patient experience, and categorically rejected external claims that patient outcomes have worsened under its leadership.\n\nEarly outcome data released by the NCRHA shows measurable progress between January 2026 and April 2026: monthly mortality figures dropped from 275 to 206, surgical volumes have increased, wait times for A&E patients waiting for ward admission have been cut, facility cleanliness and working conditions have improved, and nurse absenteeism fell slightly from 20% to 18%. The board concluded that in just nine months, it has addressed many long-standing systemic issues, restored fiscal stability, and positioned the NCRHA to continue expanding services across the region.\n\nBut the response from the Trinidad and Tobago National Nursing Association (TTNNA) has been sharply critical, with association president Idi Stuart dismissing the NCRHA’s claims as self-serving “worthless words.” Stuart argued that the new board’s nine-month tenure has been marked by constant upheaval and chaos across NCRHA facilities, and renewed the association’s long-standing call for an independent Health Sector Accreditation Council to verify institutional performance claims. For more than 20 to 30 years, the association has pushed for this independent body to conduct unbiased evaluations of public and private healthcare facilities, so the public can have accurate information about actual conditions, rather than relying on self-reported claims from the institutions themselves.\n\nStuart also called out inconsistencies in the NCRHA’s nursing hiring claims, noting the reported number of new hires changes with every press release, and questioned how many nurses have actually been added to facility rosters. He argued that even the 50 new hires cited by the NCRHA is negligible, given the authority currently faces a shortage of more than 400 full-time nursing positions, leaving many facilities operating at only 50% of required staffing levels. Stuart added that a number of the newly hired nurses have already left the NCRHA for better opportunities, worsening the shortfall.\n\nStuart also condemned the board’s reintroduction of the $75 incentive rate for extra nurse shifts, calling the move hypocritical and infuriating for frontline nursing staff. He recalled that the board initially cut the rate from $75 to $60 in 2025, claiming the higher rate was part of a corrupt racket and aligned with a 2023 Chief Personnel Officer memo, before reversing course and reinstating the $75 rate over a month later with no public explanation. Stuart argued the reversal itself confirms the NCRHA’s severe staffing crisis: the only reason the authority needs to offer incentives for extra shifts is that it does not have enough permanent nurses to cover A&E and ward shifts, leading to delays in patient care across the system. He also questioned whether the reinstatement of the $75 rate is permanent or just a temporary fix.\n\nThe current conflict over staffing and pay dates back to late April 2026, when the TTNNA launched an industrial action initiative requiring all nurses to care for no more than six patients per shift, aligned with international safe staffing standards. The action is intended to pressure the government to open negotiations over nursing and midwifery salaries, which have remained frozen at 2013 levels. The safe staffing initiative was launched after NCRHA chairman Dr Tim Goopeesingh accused nursing staff of exploiting the extra-duty pay system, claiming some nurses took home as much as $80,000 in extra pay over a three-month period. Stuart rejected those claims at the time, noting only one nurse had earned that amount, and argued that severe staffing shortages at the NCRHA leave nurses no choice but to work overtime to ensure adequate ward coverage for patients.