If the government doesn't change the working circumstances for its workers, the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has issued a warning against raising the ratio of nurses to patients.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a nurse to patient population ratio of one nurse to 1,000 people; however, Ghana's nurse to patient ratio of one nurse to 839 patients is higher. Despite this, the GRNMA is concerned about a huge shortage of health professionals if immediate action is not taken.
According to the Association, the predicament is brought on by the unprecedented migration of nurses and midwives from Ghana in search of better pay, perks, and compensation packages.
Ebenezer Acquah, Assistant Ashanti Region Secretary for the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), stated on Thursday, July 7's episode of the current affairs and political program GhanAkoma that "the trend at which the nurses are leaving for greener pastures abroad is very alarming, so it is about time the government does something about our condition of service otherwise we all will leave the country. Hospitals will be deserted.
The GRNMA regrets that, in just the first quarter of 2022, more than 3,000 of its members have traveled abroad in search of more favorable living and working situations due to Ghana's appalling conditions.
Mr. Acquah continued by saying that the number is rising since so many nurses continue to try their luck at emigrating to Europe and America.
"Nurse pay are currently quite low. We, the executives, somewhat understand the difficulties of our members since they resort to traveling and working abroad rather than staying in Ghana and working under difficult conditions for the previous two years while the cost of living is rising.
To stop the mass exodus of nurses to Europe and America in search of better employment opportunities, he further urged the government to take immediate action. Otherwise, there will be empty hospitals in the ensuing years.
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