Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu says the ongoing nationwide strike by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) must be resolved swiftly, stressing that nurses are far too essential to remain off duty for long.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on Tuesday, 9 June, 2022, he voiced, “This is something we need to resolve quickly. The nurses are too important to be away from their posts for long.”
The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) fully withdrew their services this week, following several months of unsuccessful negotiations with the government regarding their conditions of service. According to the Ministry of Finance, implementing the agreement would cost GH¢2 billion, an expenditure not accounted for in the 2025 Budget. Meanwhile, Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has called on retired nurses to return and assist in providing essential healthcare services.
He highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to bring an end to the industrial action, which has severely affected healthcare delivery across the country. “It is regrettable they have had to call this industrial action. As government, we have been engaged in backroom efforts to have the impasse resolved as quickly as possible, so that they can go back to their posts and render the essential services that they are noted for.”
He described the situation as critical, warning that the continued absence of nurses and midwives poses a serious threat to public health. “It’s a very serious matter. We are talking about the lives of Ghanaians, patients who go to seek health care. The expectation is that all necessary and relevant health professionals would be at post to deliver the best possible health care that one can think of.”
Underscoring the critical role of nurses and midwives, he said the government fully recognises their value within the health delivery system.
“Government holds enormous respect for all health professionals, and in this instance, in particular, the nurses and midwives. We know they play a very crucial role in the health delivery system,” he said.
READ: Minority Defends GRNMA Strike, Charges Gov’t to Capture Their Demands in Mid-Year Budget
He recounted a comment from a medical professional, “Somebody remarked to me that a hospital can do without doctors, but it cannot do without nurses. And this is a doctor, actually, who told me this.”
As talks with the GRNMA continue, the Minister assured the public that the government is also putting contingency measures in place to minimise the strike’s impact on patients.
“It was important that we updated the Ghanaian public on the steps being taken; one, to address the impasse itself, so that the nurses can go back to work, and two, what measures are in place to mitigate the effects on patients,” he said.
READ: Gov’t Needs in Excess of GHS2 Billion to Pay Condition of Service to GRNMA
He also emphasised the government’s duty to protect vulnerable citizens during the ongoing disruption in healthcare services.
“As a government, it’s our responsibility to look out for their welfare and do what we can to ensure that the strike does not imperil them and put them in harm’s way,” he added.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Mary Asantewaa Buabeng
