The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association is calling on the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to immediately settle arrears owed to health facilities since November last year, warning that the delays are affecting the smooth operation of hospitals across the country.

Speaking at the launch of Critical Care Awareness Month and the celebration of ICU nurses at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital under the theme “Beyond the Bedside: Courage, Care and Compassion,” the First Vice President of the association, Akoglo Samuel Alagkora, said persistent funding gaps continue to place enormous pressure on healthcare delivery.

“Let me put this on record. There is no direct funding going to health institutions from the Government of Ghana. It is what the hospitals generate internally that they use to run their operations. If there is money coming from the ministries or central government to health facilities, those are mostly project funds and not specifically meant for hospital services.

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“So, the money generated by the hospitals is what they use to operate. If you fail to pay them for such a long period, what do you expect them to do? Suppliers are chasing them,” he said.

He further blamed chronic staff shortages and inadequate logistics for the increasing pressure on nurses, warning that many are being forced to go beyond their professional roles to keep patient care running.

According to him, patients could suffer greatly if nurses stop stepping in to fill the gaps within the healthcare system.

“The system we are running now is not the best. If you go to the rural areas, some duties that should be performed by other professionals are often carried out by nurses. For instance, if you suffer trauma and require suturing, in many rural communities, the person most likely to perform that procedure is a nurse.

“As nurses, we know our role. But the system is such that, sometimes, within the limited skills we have, we are willing to help fill the gaps in the system. So, if you sue us, it means our standard of care is being judged below a certain level,” he added.

The event was attended by several key stakeholders in the health sector, including Christian Owoo, Director of the Medical Training and Simulation Centre at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC); Dr Hafiz Adam Taher, Director of Technical Coordination at the Ministry of Health; Faustina Excel Adipa, Principal of the PON/CCN School; Dr Anita Ohenewaa Yawson; and other health professionals.

JHM/AM

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