Free Primary Healthcare Could Increase Pressure on Nurses – GRNMA
The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), Volta Regional Branch, has warned that the proposed Free Primary Healthcare programme could increase pressure on nurses unless government expands recruitment and improves working conditions. Dr Oliver Commey, Director of Infectious Diseases at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, said removing financial barriers would likely increase patient numbers at health facilities, particularly at the primary level where staffing and resources are already limited. Speaking at the launch of the GRNMA’s week-long celebration in Ho, he said nurses would be central to the programme and must be adequately supported. “When we say things are free, people will troop to various facilities. The nurse is already overwhelmed when it is not free. When it is free, they become doubly overwhelmed,” he said.
Courage Kwame-Kumah, Volta Regional Chairman of the GRNMA, said nurses were also struggling with inadequate equipment, poor accommodation and unsuitable working environments. He linked these challenges to the continued migration of health workers seeking better conditions abroad. “Basically, your first instinct is to leave this country,” he said. Mr Kwame-Kumah urged government to improve conditions of service, provide essential equipment and ensure decent accommodation to help retain nurses and midwives and strengthen healthcare delivery.
