Ho:Dr. Oliver Commey, Director of Infectious Diseases at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, has emphasized the need for greater investment in nursing staff to enhance healthcare delivery and ensure the success of the Free Primary Healthcare programme.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Commey made this appeal during the launch of the Volta Regional Branch of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) week-long celebration. The event, held in Ho, focused on the theme 'Our Nurses, Our Future Empowered Nurses Save Lives'.
Dr. Commey highlighted the crucial role nurses play in healthcare, from emergency care and maternal health to disease prevention and chronic condition management. He stressed that nurses need more than recognition; they require adequate equipment, medicines, diagnostic tools, appropriate staffing, and opportunities for professional development to effectively save lives.
He cautioned against equating exhaustion with dedication, advocating instead for better support and authority for nurses. He also called for their involvement in decision-making processes related to health service delivery and workforce planning.
Dr. Commey pointed out that the removal of financial barriers through the Free Primary Healthcare programme would likely lead to increased healthcare visits, putting additional pressure on nurses. He emphasized that the programme's success depends on having sufficient trained nurses and midwives, along with clear protocols, reliable medicines, and functional referral systems.
He urged nurses to pursue their professional growth actively and called on government and health institutions to invest in nursing staff. Dr. Commey concluded that empowering nurses is key to improving patient safety, healthcare decisions, and achieving universal health coverage in Ghana.