Strike: Akandoh urges retired nurses to volunteer services temporarily
15th June 2025
Story rewritten by; stephanie Annan
BABJ28016
Source; citinewsroom.com
The government is calling on retired nurses and midwives to
temporarily return to duty to help reduce the impact of an ongoing nationwide
strike by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA).
This appeal follows the escalation of the strike, which
began after the government suggested postponing the enforcement of new
conditions of service for nurses and midwives until 2026, a proposal the GRNMA
has firmly opposed.
At a press briefing on Tuesday, June 10, Health Minister
Kwabena Mintah Akandoh acknowledged the growing pressure on the healthcare
system and outlined immediate steps being taken to respond to the crisis.
“Due to the urgency of the situation and the suffering of
patients, we are urging retired nurses and midwives to step in temporarily
while discussions with the GRNMA continue,” the minister said.
To support affected communities, the Ministry of Health
plans to release a detailed list of alternative healthcare centers where
patients can receive care during the strike. These facilities are expected to
fill the gap created by the staff shortages in public hospitals and clinics.
Additionally, the Health Minister announced that the
Ministry of Finance and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission have been
instructed to work swiftly on a plan for implementing the revised conditions of
service for nurses.
“The government is fully committed to ongoing dialogue with
the nurses’ union to find a fair and lasting solution that protects public
health,” he added.
Efforts to resolve the dispute intensified on Monday, June
9, when the Ministry of Health held a closed-door meeting with GRNMA leaders
and other stakeholders. However, the meeting ended without progress, leaving
healthcare delivery in distress.
The strike has disrupted operations in many public and some
private facilities, leading to long waiting lines and reduced access to essential
healthcare services.
Good work
ReplyDelete