The Obuasi East chairman of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), Douglas Addai, has bemoaned the harsh working conditions of nurses and midwives in the country.

Speaking at the 2nd annual week celebration of the Obuasi East GRNMA, Mr. Addai said the nation has failed to recognize the efforts and contributions of nurses, hence the high attrition of nurses and health care personnel in recent times.

"It is regrettable that the country is losing experience and hardworking nurses to foreign lands, but this did not happen by accident but through years of shortchanging nurses and a lack of respect and recognition for their efforts," he added.

He mentioned that some prefer to stay in the country and work, but the government needs to put in more effort to provide a congenial environment with the right incentives to convince them to stay.

Government's efforts:

According to the Member of Parliament for the Obuasi West constituency, Dr. Patrick Boakye Yiadom, who was the guest of honour for the celebration, the government has put in a lot of effort to retain nurses in the country.

He said the government recognizes the invaluable contributions of nurses and midwives and has therefore approved new conditions of service for them.

He said nurses should recognize the government's efforts and the investment made in them by the state to continue to serve the country.

He said projects like Agenda 111, which aims at constructing 111 health facilities across the country, will employ more nurses and other health personnel.

"The government has over the years supported health personnel in the country. It has rolled out a plethora of programs and interventions all to encourage and motivate nurses to stay and work, so we are leaving nothing to chance," he stressed.

On his part, Obuasi East health director Dr. Enyonam Kwawukume commended the efforts of nurses and midwives in the district, emphasizing that they demonstrated their resolve to support healthcare delivery, as evidenced during the outbreak of COVID-19.

She conceded that though some health personnel have left the shores of the country to seek greener pastures, the health directorate has put in measures to contain the situation and maintain a good nurse-patient ratio.

Awards:

Some nurses and midwives were awarded for their hard work during the period. Abigail Ntuwala Logi of the AGA Health Foundation was adjudged the best worker for the year 2023. She took home a tabletop fridge.

Abigail recently won the Ashanti Regional Best Worker Award and will be representing the regional GRNMA in the national contest.

The first runner-up went to Suberatu Mumuni of Bryant Mission Hospital.

She also received a 10Lit air fryer for her efforts, while Rabiatu Abubakari of Bryant Mission Hospital came in third. She was given a 6lit air fryer.