The Union of Professional Nurses and Midwives, Ghana (UPNMG) says it is committed to improving the economic and social status of nurses and midwives in the country.

The President of the Brong Ahafo Regional chapter of the Union has emphasized that the group is in search of incentive packages for health workers posted to rural communities.

"For some time now, nurses are posted based on where their services are needed. However, the number of years they have to spend before getting a transfer is a problem that needs to be checked.

"We are also saying that their conditions of service need to be improved and at least they must be paid some incentives to get them motivated," Mr. Raphael Kumah stated.

He made these remarks at a brief program at the Tuobodom Health Center to honour the Association's first member retiree, Mrs. Georgina Akosua Okoh.

Second National Vice President of the Union, Mr. Lexington MacLaughlin indicated that the introduction of insurance packages for members of the Union has contributed "in boosting the union's membership to over 25,000".

The group presented a 32 flat-screen television set and an undisclosed amount of money to Madam Georgina Akosua Okoh as her retirement package after been a member for a period of one year.

She expressed gratitude to the union for the gesture and urged young nurses to join the calls for improved working conditions.