The Deputy Chief of Staff, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, has assured nurses that the government is set to introduce new policies aimed at improving working conditions and providing opportunities to secure jobs legally in other countries.

Speaking at a seminar to mark this year’s International Day of Nurses and Midwives, held under the theme “Caring for Nurses and Midwives Strengthens Economies” on May 12, 2025, she stated that the government is preparing to roll out new policies to address the mass migration of health professionals seeking greener pastures abroad.

Her assurances follow the announcement of new immigration reforms, which include a ban on the issuance of social care visas.

In response to the challenging conditions in Ghana’s health sector, conditions that have triggered the mass migration of professionals, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo pledged improved policies that will ensure better-equipped facilities and enhanced conditions of service.

“Dear nurses and midwives, I bring hope. In just 120 days, the NDC government under President Mahama has taken bold steps to turn the tide and improve the situation. We have allocated 480 million cedis in the 2025 budget for nursing training allowances. We have also uncapped the National Health Insurance Levy, providing 9.93 billion cedis for claims payments for essential medicines and vaccines,” she said, according to a report by 3news.com on May 12, 2025.

She particularly noted that the government will map out proper and safe procedures for health workers to secure jobs abroad.

“As part of government initiatives, there will be a systemic approach to addressing the brain drain, including the legal and structured deployment of Ghanaian nurses to other countries,” she assured.

She reiterated the government’s commitment to implementing new initiatives to address the prevailing challenges in Ghana’s health sector.

“We are implementing a health worker development scheme focused on structured training, scholarship opportunities, and professional growth for nurses and midwives. We are also establishing a risk health insurance scheme to protect health workers, including nurses and midwives,” she added.

The new UK immigration reforms, published on the UK government’s website, outline stricter requirements for health workers intending to travel to the United Kingdom, including a ban on the issuance of social care visas.

VPO/MA