The leadership of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has visited Nurse Rejoice Tsotso, who was assaulted on Sunday by social media activist Ralph and his supporters at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge).
The visit, led by the National PRO, Assistant National PRO, and the Ashanti Regional Chairman, Lawyer Afriyie Anto, was to show solidarity and assure the assaulted nurse of the union’s commitment to safeguarding its members.
Nurse Tsotso, who is currently on admission at Ridge Hospital, also had her mobile phone and money stolen during the attack. The incident has sparked outrage among health professionals and the general public.
Speaking during the visit, Dr. David Tenkorang Twum, General Secretary of the GRNMA, stressed that the union considers any attack on a nurse or midwife as an attack on the entire association. He emphasized that nurses and other health workers must operate in a safe environment to be able to provide essential services to patients.
“We want you to know that an attack on one nurse or midwife is an attack on all nurses and midwives in Ghana, and by extension all health workers,” Dr. Tenkorang Twum said. “We are not drawn from the army to sacrifice our lives; we ought to be safe to save our patients.”
The GRNMA leadership further disclosed that they had engaged hospital management and the Regional Health Directorate, who assured them that steps are being taken to ensure justice for the assaulted nurse and to strengthen security at the facility.
They warned that if management does not put adequate safety measures in place, the union would not hesitate to take further steps, including withdrawing its members from unsafe environments, in order to protect their lives and well-being.
The assault on Nurse Tsotso followed a viral video that captured a heated confrontation between emergency ward staff at Ridge Hospital and a group led by activist Ralph. In the video, the group accused the health workers of delaying treatment for a patient, leading to chaos in the emergency department. The situation escalated into verbal and physical abuse directed at staff, with Nurse Tsotso being physically assaulted in the process.
READ: Health Ministry condemns attack on Ridge Hospital staff
The Ministry of Health and the Greater Accra Regional Hospital have both condemned the attack, describing it as “unacceptable interference in the work of health professionals.” They stressed that while patients and their families may be distressed in emergency situations, resorting to violence against health workers only worsens the situation and undermines healthcare delivery.
The GRNMA says it will continue to push for decisive measures to ensure that nurses and midwives across the country can work in safety and dignity.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
