The island is suffering from a shortage of medical professionals in key areas, which is having “a significant impact on public health”, the Government has warned.

Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health, made the revelation in the House of Assembly on Friday.

Ms Wilson was giving a statement announcing ten recipients of a $100,000 government scholarship granted to Bermudian students seeking a career in medicine when she made the revelation.

She said that the funds — named in honour of the late physician Barbara Ball — demonstrated the Government’s commitment to public health, and noted that the scholarships covered “a range of healthcare fields of study that directly benefit public health and are a priority to public health needs in Bermuda”.

But she added: “Bermuda has a shortage of healthcare professionals, especially in critical areas that have a significant impact on public health.

“This scholarship is offered in honour of Dr Barbara Bertha Ball, the first born Bermudian woman to practise medicine in Bermuda and a tireless champion for people’s rights.

“This initiative reflects the Ministry of Health’s commitment to encouraging and supporting Bermuda’s young people to join the health workforce and perfectly aligns with what I believe Dr Ball would have envisioned.”

Ms Wilson added that the committee received 71 applications, and that 23 candidates were shortlisted for interviews.

Ms Wilson said: “I wish to extend my congratulations to the 2023 Dr Barbara Ball public health scholarship awardees and I wish them a successful academic year.”

Ms Wilson did not respond to questions sent from The Royal Gazette yesterday. The Bermuda Hospitals Board also failed to respond to questions from this newspaper.