Amidst the government’s ongoing plans to resolve the current crisis facing the healthcare sector, retired nurses and midwives have been considered critical players whose contributions cannot be overlooked.
The contributions of these retired health practitioners came up during discussions by government officials at an emergency press conference on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at the Jubilee House involving the health ministry.
This call comes as the nationwide strike by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) enters its intensifying weeks, severely affecting quality healthcare delivery in the country.
Speaking at the press briefing, Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh expressed deep regret over the impact of the strike on patients and assured the government’s commitment to resolving the matter.
Mr. Akandoh, without hesitation, made a humble appeal to retired professional health workers to volunteer their services in the interim as negotiations continue to address the impasse.
“Given the urgency of the situation and the suffering of patients, the government is appealing to public-spirited retired nurses and midwives to volunteer their service for a brief period pending the resolution of the impasse,” the minister urges.
According to him, the government has tasked the health ministry, together with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, to immediately provide a roadmap for the approval and implementation of improved conditions of service for nurses and midwives.
“Government remains committed to the needed engagement that would lead to the approval and the implementation of the conditions of service,” he said.
He also expressed his “deep appreciation to practicing nurses who have opted to remain at post to help suffering patients and urge others to show similar fellow-feeling.”
Meanwhile, the minister has urged the striking health workers to exercise some restraint, noting that their demands were not captured in the 2025 budget, hence, taking immediate implementation would throw the economy off balance.
