Minister of Health Dr the Hon Hubert A Minnis (fourth left) and Public Hospitals Authority Chairperson, Veta Brown (fourth right) join 10 of the 12 registered nurses who graduated from the Renal Nursing Program for a photograph following graduation ceremonies. Willamae Stuart, Nursing Services Advisor, Public Hospitals Authority is at the far left. (BIS photo/Kristaan Ingraham)

NASSAU, The Bahamas -- A rapidly aging population, combined with decreasing birth rates amongst younger Bahamians, could result in nursing professionals being faced with the challenge of providing care to “constantly increasing” numbers of patients with more complicated renal failure, Minister of Health Dr the Hon Hubert A Minnis said.  

Addressing graduates of the Royal College of Nursing (UK) Certified Renal Nursing and Mentorship MasterClass Programs, Dr Minnis said Renal Nursing is becoming a dynamic specialty with a multi-disciplinary approach involving social workers, renal dietitians and counsellors, as well as nursing and medical staff working together towards providing care that reflects the patients’ needs.  

He said renal care in The Bahamas has been elevated “to the next level” as a result of the implementation of the Renal Training Program.  

“Chronic diseases and disabilities are the leading problems globally, representing one of the major health challenges of this era,” Dr Minnis said.  

“Health problems and diseases have changed during this last century and we are now seeing an increase in the number of people with chronic illnesses including renal failure and even end-stage renal failure.  

“It is imperative, therefore, that we increase our complement of nurses who are skilled to provide the care that reflects patients’ needs,” Dr Minnis added.  

The Health Minister said the 12 nurses who successfully completed the Renal Nursing Program will allow for the provision of a higher quality of nursing care to patients at all stages of Chronic Kidney Disease and their families.  

“(Participation in) The Program has enabled the nurses to gain skills in prevention, early detection and the management of existing kidney conditions,” Dr Minnis said.  

Minister of Health Dr the Hon Hubert A Minnis (at podium) addresses graduates of the Renal Nursing and Mentorship MasterClass Programs of the Royal College of Nursing (UK) Certified Program during graduation ceremonies. Dr Minnis applauded the nurses for what he called their historic achievement, adding that the expertise they gained will result in greater patient care at the three state-funded tertiary healthcare facilities. (BIS photo/Kristaan Ingraham)

“For The Bahamas, this is timely as such skills are needed to treat the changing profiles of patients, particularly the elderly ones and those with myriad conditions such as diabetes, heart failure, hypertension and cancer.”  

The Health Minister said he was “delighted” that the training was extended to the Department of Public Health as nurses who work in Community Nursing require skills to manage those elderly patients requiring dialysis treatment and who have multiple conditions.  

“As such, they will require long-term community nursing care if they are to remain at home,” Dr Minnis said. “This will reduce the need for admission to hospital for dialysis-related problems.”  

Dr Minnis said health officials, in seeking accreditation for the Renal Nursing Program, wanted to ensure that a Mentorship MasterClass was included to ensure the development of competent Renal Nurse Practitioners.  

“This was a critical element,” Dr Minnis said. “Mentors are now in the Princess Margaret Hospital and Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre with the capacity to give direct focus to the development of competent staff and for succession planning which will improve the quality of patient care.”  

Graduates of the Renal Nursing Program and the Mentorship MasterClass Programs of the Royal College of Nursing (UK) Certified got together for a group photo following graduation ceremonies at the British Colonial Hilton. Also pictured (seated from left) are: Stephanie Poitier, Senior Nursing Officer, Manager, Renal Dialysis Unit; Senator, Dr Jacintha Higgs; Minister of Health, Dr the Hon Hubert A Minnis; Veta Brown, Chairperson, Public Hospitals Authority and Herbert Brown, Managing Director, Public Hospitals Authority. (BIS photo/Kristaan Ingraham)

Dr Minnis said the 26 graduates of the Mentorship MasterClass Program are at the “forefront” of change in the state-funded tertiary healthcare institutions as the class comprised members from various departments including Nursing, Human Resources and Laboratory Services.  

“This represents a good cross-section of the staff who serve the public,” Dr Minnis said. “It is expected that we will see improvement in the quality of care provided by the institutions.”  

The Mentorship MasterClass program is a one-month course that promotes the use of teaching and learning strategies to improve work competency.