The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) says over 5,000 nurses in state and mission health facilities sought clearance with the secretariat to leave the country between August 2023 and February 2024.
According to the President of GRNMA, Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo, the number could be more as some travelled before seeking clearance.
She said the rampant exit was affecting the healthcare system because many of those leaving were experienced nurses who were supposed to mentor the younger ones.
Madam Ofori-Ampofo said the situation was leading to staff shortage, with pressure on the few remaining staff.
“Nursing care needs more hours to provide quality care, and if people who are to relieve you have travelled out, it tells one to put in a little more hours, which will create issues of work overload.
“Somebody who has practised for several years has considerable competencies and experience that we have to count on.
“There’s going to be a gap between the newly qualified and the very old because those who have served up to 10 years are leaving, so who is there to mentor the new ones that are coming?”
She attributed the situation to the harsh economic conditions in the country, saying: “The only thing that can resolve this matter is to improve the service condition of nurses, and what comes to mind is our premium”.
She stated that the delay in employing fresh graduates was another issue of concern, adding that fresh graduates would be tempted to migrate or find other profitable jobs when not given clearance and immediate employment.
“If we employ them as quickly as possible and engage them as soon as they complete their course or service, that temptation to migrate will be minimised. Even if some will leave, only a few people will leave,” she explained in an interview on Hot Issues on TV3.
She underscored the importance of the nursing profession, saying: “Nurses and midwives are the hub the healthcare system revolves around.”
Madam Ofori-Ampofo stressed the need to change the training module for nurses.
She proposes that all nursing training facilities be allowed to run degree courses for student nurses who are mostly wanted by foreign agencies.
She believes this will help keep some of them in the country even when many of them travel outside.