The Union of Professional Nurses and Midwives, Ghana, has reiterated it's commitment to improve the economic and social status of nurses and midwives in the country.

President of the Brong Ahafo Regional Chapter of the Union, Mr. Raphael Kumah, said this at a brief programme in Tuobodom to honor the Association's first member retiree, Mrs. Georgina Akosua Okoh.

He emphasized the group's call on authorities to introduce incentive packages for health workers posted to rural communities.

Mr. Raphael Kumah said "for sometime now nurses are posted based on where their services are needed. However, the number of years they have to spend before getting approval to go back to school is minimal and that needs to be checked".

"We are also saying that their conditions of service needs to be improved and at least they must be paid some incentives to get them motivated". He added

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 and an undisclosed amount of money to Madam Georgina Akosua Okoh as a retirement package after being a member for a period of one year.

Madam Georgina Akosua Okoh expressed gratitude to the Union for the gesture and urged young nurses to join the group for improved working conditions.