By Jibril Abdul Mumuni
Accra, Dec. 16, GNA – Mr. Howard Catton, Chief Executive Officer, International Council of Nurses (ICN), says high-income countries recruiting African nurses must compensate their countries of origin.
He said the recruitment of nurses by high-income countries from Africa had harmful effects on the provision of healthcare delivery on those countries.
The CEO said this at the fifth Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwifery Association’s(GRNMA) Awards and Dinner Night in Accra.
The event attended by nurses across the country, witnessed the recognition of deserving hard-working nurses and midwives across the country.
“There is a surge in international recruitment, which you know only too well. I have heard directly from nurses, your nurses in Ghana, about the harmful impacts that are now on the provision of health care, as health services are overstretched and under pressure to start with.”
“I heard sometimes you are asked to do even more. It is time, ladies and gentlemen, that high-income countries who are recruiting African nurses properly and fairly compensate countries for the dominant resources of Black nurses that you provide,“ he said.
The CEO of the global body for nurses said compensation from high-income countries to African countries must directly be invested in nursing and health care systems to strengthen the capacities of those poor countries.
This, he said, will enable African countries to produce more nurses to offset the impact of the migration.
He said the United Nations had recognised that nurses were the catalyst for reaching the Universal Health Coverage goals.
The CEO also advised countries such as Ghana to invest heavily in the nursing workforce to ensure their chances of attaining the Universal Health Coverage goals.
Mrs. Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo, President of GRNMA, said the award had proven to be a good motivation for nurses, midwives, and their colleagues.
She noted that the recipients of the award often served as role models to their colleagues and interns.
The president advised nurses to give off their best at the various health facilities across the countries.
Nii Ahene Nunoo III, the Paramount Chief of the Abola, in an address, said nurses and midwives were the backbone of the healthcare system.
He said they provided citizens’ health instructions, advocated for patients, and served as a crucial link between patients and the healthcare system.
He said their unwavering commitment, compassion, and expertise ensured that patients received high-quality care, which was the right path for improving health outcomes.
The recipients of the awards included Mrs. Miram Bonah from the Northern Region who was adjudged the Overall Best Nurse and Midwife for the year 2024.
Mrs. Emilia Ofori Agyemang from the Greater Accra Region was also adjudged the Best Regional Nurse for the year 2024.
The best administrative region was awarded to the Volta Region.
GNA