'This must not be a forgotten tragedy' – UPMNG on tragic death of nurse

The Union of Professional Nurses and Midwives, Ghana (UPNMG) has called on the government and other key stakeholders in the health sector to acknowledge the death of Yakubu Jatong, a nurse at St Mary's Hospital in Drobo who lost his life in a fatal ambulance crash while transferring a patient to a referral facility in Kumasi.

In a statement dated April 1, 2026, the union questioned what it described as a disparity in how the nation responds to the deaths of different categories of professionals.

It criticised the absence of national mourning, official recognition, or public discourse around the risks faced by nurses and midwives.

“His sacrifice has not been properly recognised, there has been no national expression of sympathy, and there has been little public discussion about the challenging and risky conditions under which nurses and midwives continue to work.

“This silence is both disturbing and unacceptable. As a union, we must ask: why does the nation mourn deeply when certain professionals die in service yet remain silent when nurses and midwives make the ultimate sacrifice? Why are the lives and sacrifices of nurses and midwives often seen as ordinary, even when they die while saving others?” it quizzed.

The union further called for a broad national conversation on the welfare, safety, and recognition of health workers.

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“This conversation must go beyond ceremonial condolences. It must address the deeper issue of how the country values nurses and midwives, both in life and in death.

“We call on the Ministry of Health, the Christian Association of Ghana (CHAG) and the Ghana Health Service to publicly acknowledge the sacrifice of Mr Yakubu Jatong and extend official sympathy and support to his bereaved family. The government of Ghana to initiate a national conversation on the protection, compensation, recognition, and memorialisation of health workers who die in the line of duty,” the statement said.

UPNMG stated that the nurse’s death should serve as a turning point in how Ghana values and protects its frontline health workforce.

“The death of Mr Yakubu Jatong must not become another forgotten tragedy. Let this painful moment awaken the conscience of the nation. Let it provoke the discussion we have avoided for too long. Let it remind the state that silence in the face of sacrifice is not neutrality; it is neglect,” it added.

See the full statement below:

JKB/VPO

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