My Fellow Barbadians,
Please join me as I extend heartfelt congratulations to the Barbados Nurses’ Association as it celebrates its 90th Anniversary, a significant milestone for the organisation. This momentous occasion reflects nine decades of unwavering commitment to the profession of nursing and the health and well-being of all people within our shores.
Ninety years ago, a group of visionary nurses led by trailblazing founder and first President, Ms. Eunice Gibson, established the then Barbados Registered Nurses’ Association. This successful effort at organising nurses in Barbados is significant as it occurred one year before the workers’ uprising of 1937 and at a time when nurses faced what could be regarded as insurmountable challenges, including poor working conditions, limited professional recognition and gender inequality. The leadership of Ms. Gibson was instrumental in bringing nurses across the island together under an umbrella organisation, building a professional community to improve the standard of healthcare delivery for all Barbadians.
This enduring legacy of championing professional excellence and improving healthcare outcomes has played a pivotal role in shaping the nursing profession and strengthening the country’s healthcare system. The Barbados Nurses’ Association (BNA) continues to leave an indelible mark on both the profession and the lives of the people it serves. From the establishment of the District Nursing Service providing free home care, to lobbying for fair pay and humane hours of work and recognition as professionals through the launch of Tag Day Appeal to fund nursing salaries, to securing the Barbados Nurses’ Association Act, Cap. 364 through Parliament in the 1940s, the BNA has consistently advanced the profession and improved healthcare access. Its membership in the International Council of Nurses in the 1950s affirmed the professional competence and transnational influence of Barbadian nurses.
Over the decades, the Association has championed nursing education, negotiating for the integration of nursing into tertiary education locally, advocating for scholarships and specialized training for advanced study abroad, thereby creating pathways for advanced skills and leadership. During the 1950s and 1960s, Barbadian nurses were sought after and some moved to the United Kingdom for employment opportunities. So highly regarded is the Barbados-trained Nurse that they are still in demand in many countries.
Despite challenges such as inadequate remuneration, staffing shortages, and long working hours, the BNA has risen above systemic hurdles, transforming obstacles into historic triumphs. The Association has consistently stood at the forefront of efforts to address these concerns, securing trade union status in 1990, strengthening collective bargaining rights, advocating for safer staffing levels, and promoting more humane working conditions.
As a founding member of the Congress of Trade Unions and Staff Associations of Barbados, the Association expanded its influence in national labour relations. This role strengthened the Association’s voice beyond healthcare, positioning it as a key stakeholder in shaping labour policy, advocating for fair treatment of workers, and ensuring that nurses’ concerns are represented at the highest levels of national dialogue.
The resilience of Barbadian nurses was most visible during the COVID-19 pandemic. At a time when our nation faced its greatest health crisis in a century, nurses stood as an impenetrable wall of defense. With unmatched bravery, nurses left their own families, manned isolation centres, advocated for protective measures, led vaccination campaigns, and proved to the world that the health security of Barbados rested securely on their shoulders. We pause to remember, with deep regret, Ms Ramona Mascoll, the first healthcare worker who lost her life to COVID-19 in 2021; her sacrifice remains a solemn reminder of the dedication of our frontline workers.
Recent achievements, including the reintroduction of student nurses’ stipends, the resumption of midwifery training, expanded professional development opportunities through collaboration with the University of the West Indies Global Campus, and the successful pursuit of workplace protections and allowances, underscore the Association’s commitment to empowering nurses. In 2025, Barbados ratified the International Labour Organization C149 – Nursing Personnel Convention, 1977, affirming our nation’s commitment to international labour standards. This international standard officially entered into force for Barbados on this, your 90th anniversary.
As we celebrate this remarkable anniversary, the BNA remains actively engaged in advancing policies related to workplace violence prevention, professional specialization, transportation support, improved leave arrangements, fair compensation, and enhanced recognition of nursing expertise. These priorities reflect a profession that continues to evolve while remaining steadfast in its commitment to patient care and public service. They speak to your understanding of your critical role in the Care Economy.
On behalf of the Government and people of Barbados, I express sincere thanks to every nurse, past and present, whose dedication has strengthened our healthcare system, improved the lives of countless Barbadians and visitors, and shaped a healthier, more resilient nation.
Thank you for ninety years of exemplary service, leadership, and sacrifice. May the next chapter of the BNA be marked by continued progress, innovation, and success as you continue to champion the interests of nurses and safeguard the health of our nation.
Happy 90th Anniversary!
