Government Must Urgently Resolve Nurses and Midwives Strike to Save Lives – CSOs

Accra: Civil society organisations (CSOs) in health have urged the government to swiftly address the nationwide strike by nurses and midwives to prevent further loss of life. These organizations, including the Ghana NCD Alliance (GhNCDA), Vision for Accelerated Sustainable Development, Ghana (VAST-Ghana), and the Stroke Association Support Network, among others, have expressed deep concern over the escalating humanitarian and public health crisis as the strike enters its second week.According to Ghana News Agency, the CSOs highlighted in a joint statement, signed by Mr. Labram Musah, the National Coordinator of GhNCDA, and the Executive Director of VAST-Ghana, that the strike is severely impacting individuals, particularly those living with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and other chronic health conditions. Public healthcare services are disrupted nationwide, affecting essential services like dialysis, cancer treatment, hypertension management, and mental health services.The disruptions have left thousa nds of patients vulnerable, with many unable to access continuous and time-sensitive care. For instance, in Ho, dialysis patients are being turned away due to staff shortages. Patients with epilepsy or severe asthma also face challenges in accessing critical medication reviews and emergency services. The shift of care to private facilities has resulted in rising out-of-pocket costs, which many patients cannot afford, further entrenching healthcare inequality.The CSOs emphasized that the strike's impact extends beyond physical health, creating uncertainty and stress among patients and their families. This situation threatens Ghana's long-term health commitments, including the goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage by 2030, and progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG '3' (Good Health and Well-being).They urged political parties to refrain from politicizing the crisis, emphasizing that health should remain a national priority. The CSOs called for urgent stakeholder ac tion and welcomed the President's directive for the Ministry of Finance to develop a resolution roadmap in consultation with the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA).The CSOs proposed that stakeholders prioritize patients and explore mediation and dialogue to restore services while maintaining dignity and rights. They suggested emergency subsidy schemes or health fund relief mechanisms for NCD patients forced to seek costly private care. Psychological support services and temporary staffing measures were also recommended to mitigate the strike's impact.Civil society, media, and faith-based organizations were called upon to amplify the advocacy for an end to the deadlock, emphasizing that every hour of delay risks lives and undermines public trust in the health system. The statement concluded with a call for a swift and humane resolution that respects both health workers' rights and patient dignity, urging Ghana to prioritize people over politics in this critical moment.