Ho:The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), Volta Regional Branch, has advocated for the recruitment of more nurses and improvements in their working conditions to support the proposed Free Primary Healthcare programme.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Association emphasized that the programme is likely to result in increased patient numbers at health facilities, thereby exerting additional pressure on nurses, especially those at the primary healthcare level. The call for action was made during the launch of the Association's week-long celebration under the theme, 'Our Nurses, Our Future Empowered Nurses Save Lives.'
Dr. Oliver Commey, Director of Infectious Diseases at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, noted that nurses play a crucial role in the success of the healthcare programme and must receive adequate support to provide quality services. He highlighted that the promise of free services would lead to a surge in patient visits, further overwhelming already burdened nurses.
Dr. Commey stressed the importance of increasing recruitment and providing essential resources to manage the anticipated rise in patient numbers. He expressed confidence in the government's ability to address these challenges and supply the necessary personnel and resources.
Courage Kwame-Kumah, the Volta Regional Chairman of the GRNMA, pointed out that low motivation among nurses and midwives is tied to not only remuneration but also to poor service conditions, inadequate materials, and challenging work environments. He warned that the introduction of free primary healthcare could exacerbate workloads at peripheral facilities unless necessary resources are ensured.
Kwame-Kumah also identified issues such as inadequate housing, deteriorating infrastructure, and unsuitable equipment, which negatively affect nurses' welfare and occupational health. These persistent challenges contribute to the growing trend of nurses seeking opportunities abroad.
To counteract this, he urged the government and stakeholders to implement effective measures to improve working conditions, provide essential equipment, and ensure decent accommodation to help retain nursing staff. The GRNMA celebration aims to honor the contributions of nurses and midwives and highlight the need for support systems to enhance healthcare delivery and protect practitioners' welfare.