A scheduled meeting between the Health Committee of Parliament and striking nurses under the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) concluded with little public clarity on the outcomes reached.
The closed-door session, which lasted from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., was intended to give committee members direct insight into the nurses’ grievances and explore possible interventions.
Present at the meeting were Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, representatives from the Ministries of Health and Finance, and officials from the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission.
Although the session was initially expected to be open to media coverage, journalists were asked to leave before proceedings began.
Fruitful deliberations
Soon after the meeting ended, the Chairman of the Health Committee, Dr Mark Kurt Nawaane, said the committee was happy that the nurses and officials from the ministries of Health and Finance honoured the committee’s invitation.
“We have had a very fruitful negotiations; we tried to understand each other and we have tried as much as possible to synchronise our activities.
“What we can say at this moment is that the discussions were fruitful and the nurses, by their regulation, have to go back to their counsel and they will come back,” Dr Nawaane said.
Describing the posture of the nurses as “fair”, the chairman said “If the Abusuapanyin should tell you to go and lead a discussion, you have to bring back the information to them first before any other issue can come out.”
We’re hopeful for good news
Ranking Member of the Health Committee, Dr Nana Ayew Afriyie, also reiterated that the discussions with the nurses were “very fruitful”.
“The nurses are going to have a session with their counsel ad we are hopeful for good news,” he said.
Strick
An ongoing strike by public sector nurses is taking a toll on healthcare delivery in the country, with some major hospitals struggling to provide basic services as some of the wards have been deserted. The strike, initiated by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), stems from grievances over delayed conditions of service negotiations and the government’s failure to address key welfare concerns raised by the nurses and midwives.
The GRNMA has accused the Ministry of Health and the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) of failing to honour promises made to them, such as allowances, accommodation issues and workload.
The Ministry of Health has since appealed to the nurses to return to work while negotiations continue, cautioning that the ongoing industrial action threatens to collapse the already overburdened public healthcare system.
Pull quote
“What we can say at this moment is that the discussions were fruitful and the nurses, by their regulation, have to go back to their counsel and they will come back”.
