The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) is alarmed by the rising cases of depression among its members due to long working hours.
According to the association, burnout syndrome is significantly affecting nurses and midwives, with research published in the Journal of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association showing alarming rates of depression within the profession.
Speaking to Orange News during an event to celebrate international Women’s Day at the regional Secretariat of the association, Jones Afriyie Anto ESQ, the Ashanti Regional Chairman, stated that some nurses have even died as a result of these conditions.
He attributes the crisis to a low nurse-to-patient ratio, which has worsened from the standard one nurse to two patients to an alarming one nurse to 30 patients.
This imbalance is escalating stress levels among nurses and midwives.
Mr. Anto notes that the situation is especially dire in rural areas, where nurses often work without a duty roster, therefore working from Monday to Sunday, including midnight shifts.
He expressed concern over the scarcity of nurses and midwives in various healthcare facilities while thousands of nursing graduates remain unemployed.
The Regional Chairman criticized the Health Minister for reducing the entry fee for nursing schools from 200 cedis to 150 cedis, claiming that this move will lead to an unnecessary increase in enrollment, despite many qualified professionals sitting at home.
“In my opinion, the government should suspend admissions to nursing and midwifery training institutions for one or two years to address the backlog before training new professionals,” he stated.
He further called on the government to implement a rural incentive program that would provide a 20% allowance to nurses and midwives who accept postings to rural areas, encouraging others to follow suit.
Mr. Anto also urged nurses and midwives to avoid involvement in partisan politics, stating the need to maintain their professionalism and respect within the community.
The Acting Ashanti Regional Head of the Department of Gender, Ama Nyantah Boateng, urged men to support their wives at home, particularly female nurses, to help reduce their burdens.
She also expressed concern about verbal and sexual abuse in some health facilities, noting that such actions impact female health practitioners’ ability to perform their duties effectively.
