A retired nurse has criticised the Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, for urging retirees to volunteer their services as the strike by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) intensifies.
Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, the nurse, who served from 1982 until retirement, described the call as misplaced and impractical.
According to her, retirees are not physically capable of handling the current workload in health facilities and should not be seen as replacements for striking nurses.
“The situation is very painful. Some of us are very tired, and even in retirement, we can barely fend for ourselves. So when we return to work and we get sick or injured, who will cater for us?” she lamented.
She stressed that the government should prioritise addressing the welfare concerns of active nurses rather than shifting the burden to retired personnel.
“Some things are in bad taste, and we need to stop trying to put square pegs in round holes. We should give the nurses what is due them so they can return to work to save lives,” she added.
The Minister made the call during a press conference at the Jubilee House on Tuesday, June 10, acknowledging the impact of the ongoing strike, which began on June 4.
The strike has significantly affected healthcare delivery nationwide. Nurses and midwives are demanding the implementation of the 2024 Collective Agreement, which is yet to be enforced.
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