The Union of Professional Nurses and Midwives, Ghana (UPNMG), has called on President John Dramani Mahama to urgently address the ongoing challenges faced by nurses and midwives in the country, following the recent State of the Nation Address, which they say failed to acknowledge their struggles.

While the Union acknowledged the government's focus on national development and economic recovery, they emphasised that the speech failed to address the critical issues facing nurses and midwives—key players in Ghana's healthcare system.

In a statement, the UPNMG drew attention to the hardships endured by nurses and midwives, who continue to work in challenging environments with limited resources and inadequate infrastructure.

Despite their unwavering commitment, many face delayed postings, poor salaries, and a lack of essential support. As a result, a growing number of healthcare professionals are leaving the country in search of better opportunities abroad.

"Nurses and midwives are the backbone of Ghana's healthcare system, yet their struggles remain largely unacknowledged," the statement noted.

The Union warned that the increasing migration of healthcare professionals is rapidly becoming a crisis that, if not addressed, will have severe consequences for the country’s healthcare system.

"The mass exodus of trained professionals threatens the very foundation of our healthcare services," they said.

A major concern raised by the UPNMG was the lack of clear measures outlined in the State of the Nation Address to resolve these pressing issues. "The address did not offer concrete solutions to the challenges that healthcare workers face, despite the vital role they play in national healthcare delivery," the statement continued.

In light of these concerns, the UPNMG has called on the government to take immediate action on several fronts:

1. Accelerating the recruitment and posting of trained nurses and midwives to strengthen the healthcare workforce.
2. Improving working conditions by ensuring that healthcare professionals have the necessary resources to carry out their duties effectively.
3. Introducing competitive salary structures to help retain skilled nurses and midwives and curb the growing trend of healthcare professional migration.
4. Providing adequate housing for nurses and midwives, particularly in rural and underserved areas, to improve their living conditions and boost morale.
5. Reinstating the vehicle import duty waiver to help nurses and midwives acquire reliable transport for their work, in line with provisions for other professionals.
6. Ensuring the swift implementation of rural incentive packages to encourage healthcare workers to accept postings in remote and hard-to-reach areas.
7. Engaging in dialogue with key stakeholders, such as UPNMG and other unions, to find sustainable solutions for improving the welfare of healthcare workers.

The UPNMG stressed the importance of a well-supported healthcare workforce for the nation’s progress. "Investing in the well-being of healthcare professionals leads to higher job satisfaction, improved retention rates, and better healthcare outcomes. This has been proven worldwide," they pointed out.