Bangladesh sent 267 nurses to Kuwait in the last three months while 998 more jobs are in the pipeline right now, raising hope for increasing the outflow of the professionals to the Arab nation gradually, officials said.
On the other hand, the Gulf nation also is willing to hire health technicians that have a good demand in that country currently.
The demand for medical professionals in different countries including in Kuwait has increased since the outbreak of the Covid-19. Against the backdrop of the situation, Bangladesh has a good opportunity to send its medical professionals abroad for availing better jobs.
Kuwait is eager to hire the nurses, who are in the pipeline as early as possible," said Noman Chowdhury, assistant general manager (Kuwait desk) at the Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Limited (BOESL).
He also said they are hopeful for receiving more demand after sending the nurses properly.
When asked, the BOESL official said the outflow of the medical professionals will increase from next months. Seven nurses are scheduled to fly for Kuwait on Sunday, while 36 on October 13 and 14.
The professionals are being recruited without migration cost through City Group General Trading Company and Advance Technology Company in Kuwait.
The monthly salary is varying from Tk 80,000 to Tk 90,000 with overtime and a yearly increment.
However, the officials said they are facing some difficulties in the way of getting required number of nurses as many of them don't want to leave behind their families.
Even some of them change their decisions at the eleventh hour, especially women. Besides, there are some procedural complexities like lengthy process of receiving medical test certificates. The aspirants also face difficulties in receiving their passport on time.
These are also the reasons for the delay in sending nurses to that country, which is not positive for the potential sector.
According to Bangla-desh Diploma Bekar [unemployed] Nurses Association, about 40,000 posts for nurses are available at public and private nursing institutes at home.
Except a number of hospitals, nurses receive poor salaries at home.
It is a good scope for nursing professionals if they go abroad with jobs, the leaders of the association observed.
They sought necessary supports from the government, so that a significant number of nurses can secure good jobs abroad.
