N&MC Stokes Anger Among Nurses& Midwives
…For Increasing Verification Fee From GH₵550 To GH₵3, 000; GRNMA Tells Members Not To Pay!
The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Ghana(N&MC) has incurred the wrath of Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), following a recent increment in license Verification Fee for its members.
The issue, has left nurses and midwives furious and disgruntled at various health facilities across the country, as leadership has instructed them not to pay the new fee, but hold themselves in readiness for any action.
The Association is incensed about the astronomical review of the fee, which had been jumped from GH₵550 to GH₵3,000, representing over 400 percent increment to be implemented by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Ghana.
The association labeled this hike as “highly unacceptable,” emphasizing the strain it places on nurses and midwives across the country.
According to the Association, if the huge increment is a move to discourage nurses and midwives from traveling to other countries to seek greener pastures, then it is ill-fated.
“If the huge increment in the verification fee is an attempt to curtail the emigration of nurses and midwives, then we find it unfortunate,” GRNMA said in a statement sighted by The Anchor.
The association, explained that migration is a fundamental right and urged policymakers to address the root causes instead of implementing prohibitive measures.
Emphasizing the need for fair compensation and improved working conditions, GRNMA underscored the disparities between Ghanaian healthcare professionals and their counterparts in higher-income countries.
Leadership of the Nurses and Midwives, has since asked the N&MC to quickly halt the implementation of the new fee and engage members on the way forward.
In a statement dated March 11, 2024, the Association asked its members not to pay the new approved fee, but wait for further action by leadership aimed at revising the fee.
“All nurses and midwives are advised not to pay the new verification fee of GHC3,000 and are further advised to hold themselves in readiness for any action that the leadership will deem fit in the event that this matter is not resolved amicably.
“Before 8th March 2024, the amount a nurse or midwife had to pay for this service was GH¢550. It is therefore highly unacceptable to have this fee increased to GH¢3000, which is a 445% increment from the previous amount,” the statement reads in parts”, the Association President Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo and General Secretary David Tenkorang-Twum jointly said.
The expression of disquiet follows the approval of the fee by Parliament.
But the Association underscored the importance of the government introducing policies and programmes that ensure that nurses and midwives are given better conditions of service compared to their counterparts in other jurisdictions instead of making their lives rather unbearable.
It argued that it is the right of every member of their Association, to seek better conditions of service and employment opportunities elsewhere, if they are dissatisfied with the situation back home.
“Migration is the right of every worker and as a nation, we must avert our minds to the reasons why these professionals are emigrating to the high-income earning countries rather than institute policies that make the life of the worker more unbearable.”
The group requested the august House to take a second look at the approved again and revert to the old fee. GRNMA said it members will be willing to pay upward review of 25 percent if there should be any increment at all.
“The Parliament of Ghana, as a matter of urgency and consideration for the plight of Ghanaian nurses and midwives, should look into this matter and revert to the old fees. If indeed any such increment must happen, we wish to humbly inform Parliament that we the nurses and midwives of Ghana can accommodate a maximum of 25% increment”, the statement added.
In a related development, the Union of Professional Nurses and Midwives, Ghana (UPNMG), has also expressed same sentiment over the increment in levies by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Ghana, particularly the rise of Verification Fee from GHc550 to GHc3000 representing 445.45%.
The health professionals see the action by the N&MC as a deliberate attempt to burden and frustrate Nurses and Midwives who aspire to seek opportunities abroad.
The union, questioned how such exorbitant fees were approved without consideration for the already dire conditions of service experienced by Nurses and Midwives.
A statement signed by John Agbenyeavu, the national Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the Union, urged the N&MC to focus on empowering and engaging young Nurses and Midwives, rather than imposing financial barriers that only serve to stifle their aspirations.
UPNMG, also urgently called on the Parliament of Ghana to revisit this issue to prevent any adverse effects on health service delivery in the country.
The Union demanded that the N&MC, immediately suspends the implementation of the new levy and engage in meaningful dialogue with relevant unions to seek an amicable resolution.
Below Is Published, The Two Statements:
Source: Anchorghana.com
