Mercy360 Blog of Monday, 16 December 2024
Source: Mercy Mensah
The alarming rate at which young, experienced nurses are leaving Ghana's healthcare facilities, including the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, is a pressing concern. Dr. Chris Oppong, Head of Emergency Medicine Directorate, highlights the negative impact on quality service delivery when these professionals seek greener pastures abroad.
This trend is not unique to Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, as Ghana faces a high attrition rate of health professionals. The government is urged to implement measures to retain these professionals, prioritizing patient care.
Ghanaian nurses are in high demand globally, with approximately 3,000 leaving the country in the first quarter of 2022 alone. The Ghanaian-Diaspora Nursing Alliance (G-DNA) aims to harness the potential of Ghanaian nurses abroad to enhance nursing education and practice in Ghana.
To address the brain drain, G-DNA focuses on collaborative efforts, curriculum development, profession regulation, transformative teaching strategies, and capacity building. By leveraging the expertise of diaspora nurses, Ghana can improve healthcare delivery and access, ultimately enhancing the health of its population .