In an effort to counteract the mounting strain on the country’s healthcare system, government has made an urgent call for retired nurses and midwives to return to service temporarily.
This emergency measure comes as the nationwide strike by members of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) enters its second week, leaving thousands of patients stranded.
At a press briefing on Tuesday, June 10, Minister of Health Kwabena Mintah Akandoh acknowledged the dire consequences of the industrial action and assured the public that the government is working swiftly to resolve the impasse.
“Given the urgency of the situation and the suffering of patients, the government is appealing to retired nurses and midwives to volunteer their service for a brief period pending the resolution of the strike”.
The strike was triggered by the government’s proposal to defer the implementation of new conditions of service for nurses and midwives to 2026, an offer rejected outright by the GRNMA.
As hospitals and clinics across the country struggle with severe staff shortages, the Ministry of Health is also working on alternative healthcare solutions, including a list of facilities where patients can seek urgent care.
Meanwhile, negotiations between the Ministry of Health and GRNMA leadership continue, but Monday’s closed-door meeting ended without an agreement.
