It’s time gov't heeds our call - GRNMA urges swift action amid worsening health crisis

The nationwide strike by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has disrupted emergency services. Major government hospitals are struggling, leaving patients stranded.

On the second day of the strike, facilities like Ridge Hospital had empty outpatient departments. Patients seeking urgent care found no assistance. The absence of nurses halted routine operations.

David Tenkorang, GRNMA General Secretary, spoke to JoyNews. He urged the government to approve and implement agreed conditions of service. He warned that the strike would continue until action is taken.

“It’s time for the government to listen,” Mr. Tenkorang said. “This strike is regrettable but necessary. Nurses have faced neglect for too long. The conditions have been negotiated and signed; now they need approval.”

He shared distressing stories highlighting the human cost of the strike. In Wa, a pregnant woman bitten by a snake was denied care. At Pampaso Children’s Hospital, another pregnant woman with severe burns was also turned away.

“These are just a few examples,” he explained. “Many others suffer daily. It breaks our hearts to see this. If we don’t stand firm now, nurses will remain undervalued.”

The National Labour Commission (NLC) declared the strike illegal. They accused GRNMA of skipping a meeting to address disputes. Mr Tenkorang countered that NLC violated labor laws by missing deadlines.

“We notified them on May 28th,” he said. “They had three days to act under Section 162 of the Labour Act but failed to do so.”

Mr Tenkorang condemned ongoing inequality for nurses and midwives in service conditions compared to other healthcare workers.

“Other health workers benefit from better conditions,” he stated. “Nurses are essential; our welfare must be prioritized.”

While willing to discuss implementation details, Mr Tenkorang emphasized that core agreements are not negotiable.

“We will return once the Minister of Finance approves our conditions,” he said. “We understand challenges may arise during implementation but not in terms of agreement.”

He expressed sympathy for those suffering due to the strike but stressed its necessity.

“We feel deeply for Ghanaians enduring pain,” he noted. “Seeing pregnant women crying outside hospitals is unbearable.”

As the strike continues, pressure mounts on the government to resolve issues quickly and restore essential health services before more lives are lost.