Apam(C/R), May 21, GNA - The Apam Catholic Mission Hospital in the Central Region is to lose 10 nurses by the end of July, this year. The request of the ten nurses who had expressed their desire to leave Apam had been approved, Dr. Charles Ntiahmoah Takyi, Medical Superintendent in charge of the Hospital told the Ghana News Agency in an interview at Apam on Tuesday at this year's Central Region Nurses Week launched at Apam by the Central Regional Minister, Mr Isaac Edumadze,

Also present were the Regional Director of Health Services (GHS), Dr Aaron Offei and Ms Joyce Aidoo, Gomoa District Chief Executive designate.

Dr Takyi said some of the nurses had stayed in the area for between 10 and 20 years and perhaps, wanted a change of environment, adding that, marriage problems were among the reasons assigned for the transfer.

Asked whether the nurses' action had anything to do with the administrative practices of the institution, Dr Takyi said no, adding that, he perceived that their action was purely personal. The Medical Superintendent, however, admitted that the mass transfer of the ten nurses would affect effective operation especially with the current free delivery system for pregnant women and the National Health Insurance Scheme expected to take off soon.

Dr Takyi denied any knowledge of the nurses leaving the country for greener pastures elsewhere after their exit from the Apam Hospital in July and expressed the hope that they would continue to stay in the country and contribute to enhance national progress. The Medical Superintendent said efforts were being made to replace them.