Picketing nurses tell Sir Molwyn to take his knee of the principal nursing officer’s neck and reinstate the position to the Midwifery Board

The women in white – and in colours – took to the streets today to tell
Minister of Health Sir Molwyn Joseph to “tek up ya knee off a de neck of the
principal [nursing] officer.”

In a placard-toting action staged on Tuesday, June 25, outside the Ministry of
Health, members of the Antigua and Barbuda Nurses Association protested
the removal of the principal nursing officer (PNO) from the Midwifery Board,
which, they say, has divided the profession.

Apparently, the picket followed 21 days’ notice to the minister, asking that he
respect the office of the country’s chief nurse.

The Association alleges that the minister has arbitrarily removed the PNO
from the Board and has handpicked its members, including two doctors,
rather than respecting the established process of selection.

They note that – for more than 40 years – the PNO has served as
registrar/secretary and is “the heart and soul of the Board;” not merely the
person who writes notes and takes the minutes. And yet, they charge, Sir
Molwyn, “without any discussions,” removed the sitting officer.

The nurses believe that the removal of the PNO was an act of petty revenge, as
they allege that she stood up to him and – in one instance, at least – refused to
transfer certain nurses.

Therefore, they say, “we cannot allow the minister to just change things at his
whim and fancy when persons do not follow instructions given to them by
him.”

A correspondence to the membership notes that the alleged victimization
does not unduly affect the current PNO, Sister Margaret Smith, as she is
nearing the end of her tenure. However, it says, such an action means that
future holders of that office will have to toe the line and curry favour with the
minister.

“We say not. Nursing is autonomous; we should not let the minister have his
way,” the statement to the membership declares. “We have to think of the
Office of the PNO and the future for nursing and midwifery education,
practice, and regulation.”

According to the Association, the law entrusts the PNO with reviewing
applications to determine whether persons are real midwives; ensuring that
the right persons receive licenses to practice; and recommending changes to
the curriculum for midwifery training in consultation with international
agencies.

“How can that be done if the person does not sit [in the arena] where all of this
is done?” the communication asks the membership, as it urges nurses to
demand the reinstatement of the PNO as registrar/secretary to the Midwifery
Board.

Regarding the action taken on Tuesday, Sister Smith says that – to the extent
that the Nurses Association upholds the values of the profession – she
commends the members for being willing to stand up and speak out when

they perceive that obligations to their health and wellbeing and those of the
public are under threat.

REAL News listeners are invited to check our Facebook page for video coverage
of the nurses’ picket by correspondent George Wehner.