BY: Daniel Orlando | VoltaOnline
Healthcare services at the Volta Regional Hospital in Hohoe have come to a near standstill following the nationwide strike action by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), leaving patients stranded and struggling to access care.
A visit to the hospital’s Outpatient Department (OPD) and Family Care Unit on Wednesday, revealed a grim scene, as nurses and midwives remained absent, leaving patients unattended for hours.
In their absence, doctors and house officers have taken on additional responsibilities, including performing vital signs checks, typically handled by nurses.
However, the overwhelming number of patients has made it nearly impossible for the few available medical personnel to cope with demand.
Efforts to engage some doctors proved futile, as they appeared visibly overburdened and preoccupied with attending to emergencies under severe constraints.
Speaking to the media, Volta Regional Chairman of the GRNMA, Mr. Courage Kwame Kumah, confirmed the full implementation of the strike in the region. He reiterated the Association’s call for government intervention, urging the public to support their demands for improved conditions of service.
“We are calling on government to prioritise the welfare of nurses and midwives. Our conditions of service must be urgently addressed to restore normalcy in healthcare delivery,” he stated.
At the hospital’s Emergency Unit, frustrated patients and their relatives voiced their displeasure over the dire situation. Some recounted waiting for hours without receiving medical attention.
The ongoing strike, which has taken full effect across the Volta Region and other parts of the country, was prompted by the nurses demand for the implementation of a new condition of service, which was approved by the previous government.
