By Benard Worlali Awumee
Anloga, (V/R), June 12, GNA, Residents and patients in the Anloga District are urgently calling on the government to fast-track negotiations with striking nurses and midwives to restore healthcare delivery in the area.
The call comes as the strike action by members of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) enters its second week, significantly affecting health service provision nationwide and across the district.
Patients at local health facilities say they are feeling the brunt of the industrial action and are appealing to the authorities to act swiftly.
In interviews conducted by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) Thursday, residents expressed growing concern over the deteriorating conditions at health centres, especially for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, the elderly, and children.
“At this point, the health of all Ghanaians is at stake,” said a patient at the Anloga Clinic adding “The Health Minister and other stakeholders must listen to the nurses’ concerns and address them immediately for the sake of the nation’s wellbeing.”
At the Tegbi Clinic, a pregnant woman seeking antenatal care praised the dedication of midwives, even amid the strike. “We are grateful for the support we have received from some of the midwives. I just hope they continue to attend to us while the government also makes efforts to resolve their concerns,” she said.
Health professionals, who spoke to GNA anonymously, indicated that while their commitment to patient welfare remains strong, their demands for better working conditions cannot be ignored.
“We know we are essential service providers, and we care deeply about our patients. But we also want our service conditions to be improved. Though we are on strike, some of us are still doing our best to support patients in urgent need, especially those of who are not members of the GRNMA”
Mr Israel Ayivor Moore, Public Relations Officer, GRNMA-Volta Region, called on health stakeholders to support their action for quality service delivery.
“We know how essential we are, but we are calling on other stakeholders, and the general public, to support us in reaching a good agreement with the Government so that we will be in a better position to deliver quality service,” Mr Ayivor said.
The strike was declared by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) in response to what the association describes as persistent delays in the implementation of improved conditions of service and unresolved salary disparities.
The Association argues that despite numerous engagements with government authorities, their concerns have not been adequately addressed.
The impact of the industrial action has been felt nationwide. In the Anloga District, the pressure on the few available healthcare workers has intensified, and some patients have been left stranded or forced to seek care at private facilities.
About 200 health workers within the Anloga District are members of the GRNMA across the ten health centres including clinics and CHPS compounds
Health sector analysts have warned that prolonged inaction could lead to a full-blown public health crisis, especially in rural and underserved communities. They are urging the Ministry of Health to return to the negotiation table and find a sustainable solution to avoid further strain on the healthcare system.
The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association has, meanwhile, reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for the welfare of its members while emphasising that their goal remains quality healthcare delivery for all Ghanaians.
GNA
Edited by: Maxwell Awumah