The Ghana Nurses and Midwives Trainees Association (GNMTA) has raised concerns over what it describes as a growing trend of physical assaults on nurses and midwives by patients and their relatives, warning that such incidents are undermining healthcare delivery and discouraging young people from entering the profession.
The concern follows a recent incident at the Tema Community 22 Polyclinic, where a nurse was allegedly assaulted by a relative of a patient after enforcing visiting-hour regulations. The nurse had reportedly asked the individual to leave the ward when visiting hours ended, leading to the attack.
Speaking at the Association’s 33rd Annual Delegates Congress held at Ejisu Krapa, the Ashanti-Brong Ahafo Zone (ASHBA) President, Abankwa Takyiawa, described the incident as deeply troubling.
“When our professionals are attacked for doing their job, it sends the wrong message to the next generation. Nursing is about saving lives, and we cannot allow fear to drive people away from this noble profession,” he said.
Mr Takyiawa called on hospital authorities, the Ghana Health Service and the Ministry of Health to implement stronger measures to protect nurses and midwives, including enhanced security at health facilities and stricter enforcement of policies against violence towards health workers.
He also urged the public to respect healthcare professionals and comply with facility regulations, stressing that nurses often work under intense pressure and deserve a safe working environment.
The congress, held under the theme, “Trained to Save, United to Serve: Leadership in Action for Trainee Nurses and Midwives,” brought together nursing trainees and key stakeholders to discuss issues affecting the profession.
Mr Takyiawa reiterated the Association’s commitment to advocating for the welfare and safety of nurses and midwives, warning that the country risks losing skilled healthcare professionals if such attacks continue.
He further appealed to the National Service Authority (NSA) to extend the deadline for graduate nurses and midwives to obtain their national service PIN codes.
According to him, although the registration exercise ran from May 25 to June 5, 2026, many prospective graduates were unable to access their PINs due to challenges associated with new verification measures.
He explained that the National Service Authority now requires applicants’ Ghana Card details to match information on their school records as part of efforts to sanitise the system.
Meanwhile, the Second Vice President of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) and Patron of the Trainees Association, Mr Daniel Attah-Tuffour, urged newly graduated nurses and midwives to explore entrepreneurial and skills-based opportunities after completing their national service.
He cautioned graduates against relying solely on government employment, noting that the public sector job market is saturated.
“The government employment net is choked, and it could take newly qualified nurses and midwives between three and four years to secure employment within the public sector,” he said.
Mr Attah-Tuffour explained that nurses and midwives possess valuable skills that can be applied beyond traditional hospital settings, including home healthcare, wellness services, health education and private practice.
He encouraged graduates to invest in additional skills training, establish small-scale enterprises and create opportunities for themselves while awaiting formal employment.
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