Accra, Feb. 28, GNA - The National Executive Committee of Ghana Registered Nurses Association (GRNA) on Wednesday condemned attacks on its members describing them as totally repugnant and disgusting. A statement issued in Accra and signed by Mr Samuel MacCarthy, Public Relation Officer of GRNA said the association considered the attacks as violence against nurses, majority of whom were women and appealed to the law enforcement and security agencies to lead a crusade to curb the trend.

"Without any reservations, the health and safety needs of all members stand paramount in its activities. Perpetuated acts of abuse on its members by bandits armed or unarmed would in future, compel health workers, especially nurses to refuse taking up night duties in particular and afternoon shits," it added.

The statement said the association had received news of an attack on a member, Miss Cecilia Eshun, a nurse at Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital in Sekondi by unidentified armed robbers on her return home from work after an afternoon shift just opposite the casualty ward of the hospital on Saturday, February 15.

In addition, Miss Victoria Obuobi, a nurse on her way to work at Tema was also attacked by robbers and valuable items taken away and currently on admission at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital Cardio-Thoracic recovery ward receiving treatment.

The statement said at Saltpond, a nurse had to run for her life to avoid being attacked by a psychiatric patient and similar cases of attacks had been recorded in Kumasi and Wa.

It appealed to the law enforcement and security agencies to put in place measures to assure safety to nurses and called for appropriate compensatory packages to be given to victims of such unfortunate acts in the form supportive treatment and claim procedures.

The statement noted that nurses work in unfriendly environment and compromised their duties because most hospitals lacked the needed infrastructure, logistics and equipment to assure quality care which had contributed to the nurses' brain drain in the country. "The onset of this current problem of insecurity in and out of the work place would further increase the attrition rate thereby lowering productivity."

"If quality care cannot but be compromised by reason of infrastructural deficits, the few health professionals remaining should be assured of security and be treated with dignity and respect" it added.