THE EASTERN Regional Directorate of Nursing Services has indicated that more than 60% of nurses join the exodus train or go on transfer from the Koforidua Government hospital every year.

According to the Deputy Director of Nursing Services (DDNS), Mrs Agnes Boahene, most of these nurses who apply for transfer go to the Greater Accra Region, especially Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.

Statistics released by the director showed that in 2000, 29 nurses were transferred from the region while 13 moved into the region, two of whom joined Koforidua hospital.

Last year, 25 nurses went on transfer, 13 of them to Korle-Bu, while only two nurses joined the Koforidua hospital.

They were from Korle-Bu hospital.

The director would not explain why the nurses leave en-masse.

Pressed further to give the reasons, Mrs Boahene said, "most of the nurses say they do not want to get separated from their husbands. Others want to go and nurse their sick relatives."

She was astonished how her subordinates are leaving the region to Korle-Bu hospital, saying that "conditions of service are the same over there."

The nurse observed that one drawback is their number which is more than 50% of the total workforce of health workers in the country.

"Because of our number, the government finds it difficult to meet our demands. It is not our fault to be many, our services demand that."

In spite of the mass transfer going on in the region, the government has initiated the training of more nurses to provide health delivery services in our hospitals.

Some of the nurses at the regional hospital whom the Chronicle approached refused to talk for fear of being victimised.

"Sorry we cannot talk to you. We may be sacked by the hospital administration should we disclose our identity or be seen talking to you," they claimed.