The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), Greater Accra Region, has released a detailed account of the circumstances leading to the assault of a midwife at the Community 22 Polyclinic, describing the incident as “unfortunate and disgraceful” and calling for justice for the affected health worker.
In a statement of solidarity, the association said the incident undermines efforts to ensure a safe working environment for healthcare professionals and reiterated its commitment to pursue the case to its fullest legal conclusion.
According to GRNMA, the incident occurred after a female patient, who had undergone a caesarean section, was discharged on post-operative day three but remained at the facility pending payment of her medical bills.
The association explained that the confrontation took place on post-operative day four when relatives of the patient visited the ward outside official visiting hours.
GRNMA stated that the midwife was attending to other patients and administering medication at the time and informed the visitors about visiting regulations, while also calling security personnel to restore order on the ward.
However, the statement said the relatives became agitated, questioning why security had been called to control the situation.
According to the account, security personnel later left the ward to attend to other areas while an exchange of words continued between the parties involved.
The midwife, GRNMA said, then stepped away to document the incident in an official report.
It further alleged that during this period, one of the female relatives struck the midwife from behind, questioning why she had walked away while they were speaking to her.
The association added that a male relative also became angry, escalating the confrontation into a physical altercation, which resulted in the assault captured in a video currently circulating on social media.
GRNMA confirmed that the matter has since been reported to the police and is expected to be brought before court on Monday.
The association also said the midwife has received medical assessment and counselling following the incident, and that both district and regional executives have been in constant contact with her since the video emerged online.
It urged nurses and midwives across the country to remain professional while asserting their right to a safe working environment, citing provisions of Ghana’s Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), which allows workers to withdraw from situations they reasonably believe pose an imminent and serious danger to their health or safety.
GRNMA assured its members of continued support and reiterated its resolve to ensure accountability, warning that violence against healthcare workers will not be tolerated.
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