National Council of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has announced a series of actions to protest against the significant increase in verification fees for nurses.
The cost of foreign verification has surged from 550 Ghana cedis to GHS 3,000, marking a 445.45% rise.
Despite appeals to the Health Ministry and the Nurses and Midwives Council to reconsider the hike, no action has been taken.
Consequently, the nurses’ leadership has outlined a plan of action from March 22 to April 3, 2024.
During this period, nurses and midwives nationwide will wear red bands on their departments and wards, along with head and armbands, in protest.
A major press conference is scheduled for March 27, 2024, followed by the withdrawal of outpatient department services from March 28 to April 2, 2024.
If their demands are not addressed, the health workers plan to escalate their actions by completely withdrawing all services, including in-patient care, on April 3, 2024.
Led by National President Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo, the Council has expressed disappointment in the lack of response from the Health Ministry and the nurses and midwives council, despite sending letters urging reconsideration of the fee hike.
The Council emphasises that, given the current economic challenges, any increment should not exceed 25% of the previous cost.
“We wish to reiterate that, considering the current economic challenges and the fact that our salaries are not the best, nurses and midwives in Ghana can only contain a maximum of 25% increment, which in our view can be borne by all grades of nurses and midwives,” the statement read.
The council urged nurses and midwives to comply with the directive as it is their civic duty.
“All nurses and midwives are expected to fully participate in the above-stated actions because it is their right to do so and therefore under no circumstances should they be threatened or coerced,” the statement said.