GRNMA Condemns Assault on Midwife, Demands Urgent Action on Healthcare Worker Safety
The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association has condemned the physical assault of a midwife by relatives of a patient at the Community 22 Polyclinic, describing the attack as criminal and unacceptable while calling for urgent measures to protect healthcare workers nationwide.
The GRNMA leadership said it received the reports with grave concern after the midwife was attacked while carrying out her professional duties at the facility.
The Association unequivocally condemned the act of violence against a healthcare professional whose only duty was to provide care and support to patients and their families.
It stressed that no nurse, midwife, or healthcare worker should be subjected to intimidation, threats, harassment, or physical assault in the course of rendering essential services to the public.
The Association noted that healthcare facilities must remain places of healing, compassion and safety, not environments where nurses and midwives fear for their lives and personal security while performing their duties.
It said hospital management has a duty of care to ensure that nurses and midwives can work in a safe and secure environment.
The GRNMA has therefore called on the management of the hospital involved to immediately strengthen security measures within the facility and implement robust mechanisms to prevent future occurrences.
The Association wants enhanced security presence at critical service points, strict visitor management and access control systems, rapid response protocols for incidents involving violence against staff, installation and maintenance of surveillance systems, and regular security risk assessments and staff protection measures.
With violence against nurses and midwives becoming an increasing threat requiring national attention, GRNMA is also calling on the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, Christian Health Association of Ghana, teaching hospitals and all health sector agencies to prioritise the safety and security of nurses and midwives.
The Association is demanding the development and enforcement of a national policy on the prevention of workplace violence in healthcare settings, investment in security infrastructure across health facilities, establishment of reporting and support systems for victims of workplace violence, and strong sanctions against perpetrators of violence against health workers.
The incident has also renewed GRNMA’s call for the Government of Ghana to ratify and implement ILO Convention No. 190 on Violence and Harassment in the World of Work.
The Association said Convention 190 provides a comprehensive framework for preventing and addressing violence and harassment in workplaces, including healthcare settings, and its ratification will demonstrate Ghana’s commitment to protecting workers from violence, abuse, intimidation and harassment.
The GRNMA urged government, Parliament, employers, workers’ organisations and all stakeholders to expedite efforts toward ratification and implementation.
The Association has further called on the Community 22 Police Station of the Ghana Police Service to treat the matter with the seriousness it deserves and expedite investigations to ensure that all persons responsible for the assault are identified, arrested, prosecuted and brought to justice.
The GRNMA said swift action will not only provide justice for its colleague but also serve as a deterrent to others who may contemplate similar acts.
It also appealed to the public to desist from all forms of violence, threats and aggression against nurses and midwives.
It noted that nurses and midwives are not enemies of patients or their families and work under extremely challenging conditions, often making personal sacrifices to save lives and provide quality care. The Association urged the public to use established complaint and grievance procedures where concerns arise instead of resorting to violence.
Addressing members of the nursing and midwifery fraternity, the Association acknowledged the anger, disappointment and concern the incident has generated within the profession.
It urged nurses and midwives across the country to remain calm, professional and law-abiding while the appropriate authorities investigate the matter.
The Association reiterated its commitment to pursuing justice for its colleague and advocating for concrete measures to guarantee the safety, dignity and security of nurses and midwives in every healthcare facility across Ghana.
Story by Hajara Fuseini
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