The National Council of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has notified the public of its intention to undertake series of actions to demand a review of the astronomical increment in their Verification fee.
The verification fee is a specified amount paid by Nurses and Midwives to the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Ghana for verification of their Licenses.
This comes after the Parliament of Ghana, the Ministry of Health, and the Nursing and Midwifery Councils failed to acknowledge receipt of letters requesting a review of the verification fee increment.
In a statement issued by the GRNMA on March 21, 2024, they expressed dissatisfaction with a 444.5% increase in the verification fee through an official letter, requesting a review to an acceptable level. However, there has been no progress in reviewing the fee for over a week.
“These actions have become necessary because, although the GRNMA officially communicated its
discontentment about the 445.5% increment in the Verification Fee and request for a review of the amount to an acceptable level more than a week ago, the institutions involved which are the Parliament of Ghana, the Ministry of Health, and the Nursing and Midwifery Council are yet to even acknowledge receipt of our letters and to make any effort towards having the GHȼ3,000.00 reviewed.”
The Association informed the public and the health sector that, in an effort to gain the attention of the relevant authorities, wearing red bands across all health facilities will be effective from March 22, 2024, to March 27. Additionally, it was announced that a major press conference will be organized on the 27th, and from March 28 to April 2, outpatient services will be withdrawn, followed by the withdrawal of inpatient and other services on April 3.
GRNMA urged all nurses and midwives to actively engage in these actions, emphasizing that, given the prevailing economic difficulties and inadequate salaries, they can only consider a 25% increment. They argued that this increase is feasible for all levels of nurses and midwives.
“We wish to reiterate that, considering the current economic challenges and the fact that our salaries are not the best, nurses and midwives of Ghana can only contain a maximum of 25% increment which in our view can be borne by all grades of nurses and midwives.”
See the statement below.
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Story by Mabel Antwi | univers.ug.edu.gh
