Prioritize safety and security of nurses and midwives — GRNMA urges government
The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has called on the government and health sector agencies to prioritize the safety and security of nurses and midwives.
This follows the alleged assault of a midwife at the Community 22 Polyclinic in Tema, Greater Accra Region.
The Association said the incident, which involved the alleged physical assault of a midwife by relatives of a patient while she was on duty, highlights the growing threat of violence against healthcare workers across the country.
In a statement issued on Friday, June 5, GRNMA condemned the attack and demanded urgent measures to protect nurses and midwives in healthcare facilities.
“We unequivocally condemn this uncultured, unacceptable, and criminal act of violence against a healthcare professional whose only duty was to provide care and support to patients and their families. No nurse, midwife, or healthcare worker should be subjected to intimidation, threats, harassment, or physical assault in the course of rendering essential services to the public,” the Association stated.
The Association stressed that healthcare facilities must remain safe spaces for both patients and staff, warning that healthcare workers should not have to fear for their safety while delivering essential services.
It consequently called on the management of the Community 22 Polyclinic to strengthen security measures within the facility to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
According to the Association, enhanced security presence at critical service points, strict visitor management systems, rapid response protocols, surveillance infrastructure and regular security risk assessments are necessary to protect healthcare workers.
GRNMA also urged the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service, the Christian Health Association of Ghana and other health sector institutions to develop and enforce a national policy on preventing workplace violence in healthcare settings.
The Association further called for increased investment in security infrastructure, the establishment of support systems for victims of workplace violence and the imposition of stronger sanctions against perpetrators.
The statement also renewed calls for Ghana to ratify and implement the International Labour Organization's Convention 190 on Violence and Harassment in the World of Work.
“This unfortunate incident once again highlights the urgent need for the Government of Ghana to ratify and implement ILO Convention No. 190 on Violence and Harassment in the World of Work,” the Association said.