GRNMA strike disrupts antenatal care, hospitals turn away patients
The ongoing strike by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has severely affected Antenatal Care (ANC) services, with some hospitals turning away pregnant women and babies.
Expectant mothers arriving for scheduled check-ups and procedures were left stranded due to the absence of nursing staff.
A visit to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital Maternity Out-Patient Department and Lekma Hospital observed babies missing vaccinations, while pregnant women were referred to private hospitals for treatment.
At the Korle-Bu Department of Child Health and Child Emergency Ward, doctors had to assume nursing responsibilities, offering consultations and, where necessary, referring cases to the 37 Military Hospital or the Police Hospital.
One expectant mother, disappointed, said: “I was asked to submit my laboratory test results, but there was no nurse to receive them. I am very disappointed. I wasn’t even aware of any strike action until I got here. I wouldn’t have come if I knew.”
Madam Mercy Dankwah, who brought her twin babies for the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, was unable to access immunisation services due to the absence of nursing staff.
Madam Jemila Ayerh, a mother who had brought her newborn for six-week vaccinations, said, “I am worried because I do not know any private hospital that provides such services.”
The GRNMA announced a phased withdrawal of services in May, beginning early June 2025, to protest the government’s delay in implementing their collective agreement.
The agreement, covering all nurses and midwives, was signed in May 2024 by the GRNMA, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, and Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, but remains unimplemented a year later.
The strike began with the withdrawal of Out-Patient Department (OPD) services nationwide from June 4 to 8, followed by a complete withdrawal of all services from June 9, 2025.
Despite government efforts to resolve the impasse, the Association has maintained its stance.
In the latest development, Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Minister of Health, has appealed to retired nurses and midwives to volunteer their services temporarily while discussions continue to resolve the strike.