Healthcare delivery not disrupted by unpaid nurses strike

Provision of healthcare services at some public health facilities in Accra went on normally yesterday, in spite of the indefinite strike declared by members of the Coalition of Unpaid Nurses and Midwives.

During visits by the Daily Graphic to those facilities in Accra, the situation appeared to be normal, particularly with the nurses, as many were seen going about their duties.

Nurses in green, white and brown uniforms with various ranks were seen going about their duties without let or hindrance.

Members of the Coalition of Unpaid Nurses and Midwives, who claimed to be more than 7,000, last Sunday, announced an indefinite strike to demand the payment of their salaries and outstanding arrears for the past three years.

Activities ongoing

At the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, a senior nurse (name withheld) said all the junior nurses in her department were at work, saying that “nobody is on strike here. All nurses who are supposed to be on duty are all here”.

The Public Relations Officer of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Mr Mustapha Salifu, told the Daily Graphic that nurses at the hospital was at post when hospital authorities made checks.

“We checked in the morning and we realised that nurses were at post. Very few are embarking on the strike.  However, our records show that the nurses on strike were about 10 and we cannot tell how the strike has impacted health service delivery now because those working are more than those on strike,” he said.

At the Ridge Hospital, the situation was not different, as activities at the Outpatient Department (OPD) and the wards were not affected by the action.

Meanwhile, at the Accra Psychiatric Hospital, the strike declared by the nurses seemed to have taken a toll on senior nurses, who were forced to do extra work.

A source at the hospital told the Daily Graphic that some senior nurses who were on leave were forced to resume work.

 Breach of agreement

In an interview with the Spokesperson of the Coalition of Unpaid Nurses and Midwives, Mr Douglas Adu Fokuo, he said members of the group would remain on strike until their salaries and arrears were paid.

He said earlier negotiations with the government over the period had not yielded any fruits, therefore, the nurses would not negotiate until their monies were paid.

“Early in September, we met with a government delegation which included officials of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations and they assured us that we would be paid by the end of September, but as of now, we have not heard anything from them.

 “After several deliberations and our patience to receive these monies, our government and authorities failed us. The promises they gave us and the reassurances were not implemented hence the leadership and entire membership of the coalition have come to the crossroads where going back to the workplace is impossibility until all our standing arrears are paid,” he said.

 Kumasi

Kwadwo Baffoe Donkor reports from Kumasi that the strike seems to have little or no impact on activities at the hospitals in Kumasi.

A visit to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) saw the nurses at work and nothing seemed unusual.

The wards and the theatres were busy with nurses and doctors going about their work without any worries.

Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Public Relations Officer of the hospital, Mr Kwame Frimpong, said the hospital was unable to tell if there were any members of the coalition at the facility.

He, however, said that management was still monitoring the wards to find out if any of its staff were involved.

So far, he said, only two members of the staff were affected by the unpaid salaries “but they are on the afternoon shift, so are yet to report to work”.

Reports monitored on radio indicated that the story was the same at the Tafo, Manhyia and KNUST hospitals.

 Ho

In Ho, Tim Dzamboe reports that the nurses and midwives reported for normal duty.

At the Volta Regional Hospital and the Ho Municipal Hospital there were crowded and busy OPDs with nurses attending to patients.

The Ho Municipal Hospital Administrator, Mr Charles Torkornoo, told the Daily Graphic that all staff reported for duty although they were affected by the non-payment of allowances and salary arrears.