Central Region Nurses Speak Out

Cape-Coast -- The central regional branch of the Ghana Registered Nurses Association (GRNA), has called on the government to implement the report of the Technical Committee.

The committee was set up by the Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service in connection with the modalities for the disbursement of the Additional Duty Hours Allowance (ADHA) for health workers.

It called also on the government to sign the white paper that would enable all categories of health workers enjoy the approved hours allotted them by the committee without delay because tension was mounting in the region, due to poor distribution of the ADHA to the nurses.

These were contained in a press release signed on July 9, 2004 by eight top health executives, including Mrs. Yvonne Graham-Hayfron, the chairwoman, as well as the secretary, Emmanuel Attakora after their regional council meeting on June 24, 2004 which deliberated on the causes of exodus of nurses and the imbalances in the payment of allowances that have fuelled the mass movement of health personnel.

The release also drew the attention of the government to the fact that the ADHA was disincentive, taking into account the number of hours allotted them as compared to other health professionals who enjoyed 200 hours' incentive regardless of the number of hours they clocked and the staff strength. In addition, they for the proposed Rural Incentive for the health workers to be implemented as early as possible.

Additionally, the association also called for the abolition of ceilings for institutions and the provision of adequate funds to enable them pay the allowance for ADHA as an incentive to motivate the few patriotic nurses who had chosen to serve their nation.

The statement further disclosed that the heightening agitation among the nurses in the region due to disparities in the disbursement of ADHA could degenerate into mass protest, which the executives would find difficult to contain.

The regional branch association, however, reiterated that they would advise themselves if the government failed to act.