• 17 Jun, 2025
• Classic Ghana
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Healthcare Delivery: Nurses, midwives resume work 

Healthcare delivery in several hospitals across Accra has returned to normalcy as the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) resume work Monday morning, following the suspension of their recent strike. 

The health professionals, who had laid down their tools for almost two weeks to press home their demands for improved conditions of service and allowances, are now actively at post, performing their regular duties. 

During the strike, doctors and physician assistants stepped in to assume the roles of nurses at some facilities, significantly increasing their workload. 

At the same time, in other hospitals, healthcare services were halted due to the absence of nurses and midwives. 

A visit by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) to some hospitals on Monday saw the Out-Patients Department (OPD) and emergency wards bouncing back to life after the long break with nurses and midwives attending to cases. 

The LEKMA Hospital at Teshie showed a busy atmosphere with nurses back at post, while patients waited patiently at the Out-Patients Department to be attended to.

The Antenatal Care Unit was also filled, as expectant mothers accessed various healthcare services. 

Madam Joana Annang, a patient, expressed relief at the resumption of work, saying access to healthcare was crucial. 

“The Government’s swift action to meet the demands of the nurses was a step in the right direction, which would help to save many lives,” she said. 

At the Teshie Community Clinic, healthcare services were fully operational, with staff attending to patients. 

Some patients who spoke to GNA urged the government to prioritise the welfare of health workers to prevent future disruptions. 

The situation has not different at the La Polyclinic in the La Dadekotopon Municipality, where nurses were seen at post, delivering the needed care to health service seekers. 

A source close to the facility, who pleaded anonymity, emphasised the importance of the nurses’ return. 

“The strike really disrupted healthcare delivery. It’s a relief to see them back. Now the focus should be on ensuring that both parties resolve the issues amicably,” he stated. 

This is, however, in contrast to the situation observed at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital on Saturday, a day after the nurses and midwives suspended their strike. The place was quiet and deserted. 

Popularly called the Ridge Hospital, the facility, which ordinarily would have been busy, had empty corridors with nurses missing at the OPD and the wards. 

Some patients who had rushed in with hope of receiving care were left disappointed, with many expressing confusion over the silence, unsure whether services had truly resumed, with only a skeletal staff navigating the premises. 

During the visit between 1600 and 1800 hours, the OPD, Emergency Ward and its pharmacy section were locked whilst the Admissions and Paediatric Emergency sections were also closed. 

The Medical and Surgical wards had patients with limited number of nurses and other health workers taking care of them. 

A relative of a patient, who spoke on anonymity, said it had been a difficult time for them but hoping to see full and adequate healthcare delivery on Monday, June 16. 

One Mr Asare Mensah who brought back his wife after she was discharged a week ago had to be directed to the Iran Clinic to avoid any possible complications. 

The situation at the Adabraka Polyclinic was that of a relief for patients as the Emergency and Resuscitation Unit was in full operation with nurses working whilst the Female and Children’s Wards were also busy. 

The Revenue and Pharmacy Departments as well as the Focus Antenatal Room were in full operation with smiles on the faces of patients. 

At the maternity ward, a patient who gave her name as Regina, said: “I am impressed about the services and because we the pregnant women are not many, the services are like a ‘VIP’ treatment.” 

The resumption of work by the nurses and midwives marks a significant step toward restoring full healthcare services in the capital, as stakeholders continue to dialogue to secure lasting solutions to the challenges faced by these essential workers. 

The strike began with the withdrawal of all Out-Patient Department (OPD) services nationwide from June 4 to 8, and a complete withdrawal of all services from June 9, 2025, despite efforts of the government to get the Association to rescind its decision. 

The leadership of GRNMA, led by Mrs Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo, the President, on June 13, officially called off the nationwide strike over the non-implementation of the revised conditions of service by government. 

Mrs Ofori-Ampofo, announcing the suspension at a press briefing in Accra, said government must prioritise the needs of the nursing profession and address them with urgency. 

The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), in May this year, announced a phased withdrawal of services starting in early June 2025. 

The Association called off the industrial action after a series of engagements with the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health and other key stakeholders. 

These discussions led to a mutual agreement to return to the negotiation table to iron out the concerns raised by the health workers and return with further details on their demands. 

Earlier, the Minister of Health called on retired nurses and midwives to volunteer their services at the various facilities while negotiations were ongoing. 

Source: GNA