In Photo from left to right: TTRNA President – Idi Stuart; University of Antioquia Nursing Professor - Juan Guillermo Rojas;

Lecturer at University of Sydney - Dr Lisa Conlon; Nursing Officer 1 at PMH – Precola Rolle;

Associate Dean at St Louis University School of Nursing - Dr Janne C. Langan; and Director of NEMA (Bahamas) - Captain Stephen M. Russell.

The President of the TTRNA was privileged to work alongside his regional nursing counterparts from Bahamas, Colombia and the United States of America. The aforementioned individuals participated in a four day Disaster Competency Workshop at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Headquarters. This is located in Nassau, Bahamas and was held during the period February 17th to February 20th 2020.

The objective of this workshop was to deliver the training needs for nurses of the Bahamas as it relates to disaster preparedness.

The Nurses who worked during the recent devastating Hurricane Dorian in 2019, recounted their traumatic experiences. In particular, those residing in Grand Bahama and Abaco, related their harrowing tales. These revelations reinforced the fact that nurses remain the unsung heroes, during times of disaster. In such times we are expected to continue to deliver services even in the absence of resources and whilst facing tragedies of our own.

This workshop had its genesis out of the International Council of Nurses (ICN) operated Global Nursing Leadership Institute (GNLI). Mr Stuart and his cohorts from approximately 30 countries, successfully graduated in 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. Currently, intake for the 2020 GNLI cohort is ongoing and TTRNA encourages all senior nurse leaders to register and be a part of this program. Furthermore, TTRNA envisions the conducting of similar Disaster Preparedness Workshops, and similar ICN supported workshops, in Trinidad and Tobago and throughout the rest of the Americas.

Additionally, during his self-funded trip during the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival period, the TTRNA President took the opportunity to visit several healthcare institutions in the Bahamas. These included the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH), the Geriatric Hospital and the Psychiatric Hospital. What was truly impressive was the PMH Intensive care unit (ICU). This 24 bed ICU unit, each contained its own private room and trained ICU nurse. It was built to international standards, and is truly unrivalled in the Caribbean. This was only outdone by the equally marvellous PMH Neonatally Intensive Care Unit (NICU) with its open floor plan and the ability to care for 40 neonates at once. It was truly amazing to witness such a facility in the Caribbean, built by a country whose sole substantial income is from Tourism.

Furthermore, the president of TTRNA got a first-hand account of how the Bahamas has successfully implemented their National Health Insurance Scheme. This would benefit all of their citizens as they move towards a more sustainable healthcare financing system.

Moreover, as TTRNA prepares for its 90 years celebratory event at the Hyatt on Sunday 7th June 2020, we commit to ensuring Trinidad and Tobago’s healthcare system becomes the template for the Caribbean and the rest of the world.