Trainee Nurses Still Crying Over Allowances Despite Bawumia's Assurances: "Woefully Inadequate"
- The Coalition of Concerned Nurses and Midwives Trainees has raised more concerns about allowances owed them
- Though GH¢177 million was released to settle the trainees, the group said more money is needed
- Robert Agbeti, one of the group's conveners, noted to YEN.com.gh said its estimates may be lower than stated
The Coalition of Concerned Nurses and Midwives Trainees has said allowances paid to trainees after Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia's assurances on May 14, 2024, are inadequate.
Though Bawumia said GH¢177 million would be released to settle the trainees, the group, in a statement, said the total arrears amount to significantly more.
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“The government’s failure to address these arrears comprehensively continues to burden our future healthcare professionals."
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The group also says the recently released GH¢177 million covers only 11.5 percent of the total arrears. In addition, it said 30 percent of the trainees, approximately 17,430 students, have never received any allowances. For example, its said allowances owed its members amounted to GH¢209.16 million.
Therefore, the coalition called on the government to fulfil its promises and promptly clear all arrears.
Robert Agbeti, one of the group's conveners, further noted to YEN.com.gh that the figures it cited in its statement may be much higher.
"That does not reflect the actual figure. We just want to give the public a fair idea of how much the government owes us.”
While Agbeti said the government has not reached out to the group, he said The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association has said some money will be released soon.
“We don’t know how much is going to be paid,” he however added.
Sammi Awuku assures trainee nurses and teachers
Earlier, a campaign aide to the New Patriotic Party flagbearer, Sammi Awuku, assured trainee nurses and teachers that the government will not abolish their allowances despite the country's harsh economic conditions.
He acknowledged that the government was suffering from financial constraints, among other fiscal challenges, due to the ongoing International Monetary Fund programme and the cedi’s free fall on the foreign exchange market.
He noted, however, that despite the constraints, the government was determined to ensure that the allowances were paid because they were significant in bolstering the education and training of teachers and nurses in the country.
This comes after protests from trainee nurses and teachers following delays in the payment of their allowances.
The National Lottery Authority boss urged the trainees to remain patient as the government worked to resolve their arrears.
He also assured them that Bawumia would continue to maintain the allowances if he is elected in the upcoming December 7 elections.
Ghana warned about exodus of nurses
YEN.com.gh reported that Ghana has been warned about the vast number of annual flights of Ghanaian nurses to the UK and the US.
The International Council of Nurses told the BBC that Ghana's health system could pay a great price in the coming years if the situation persists.
According to the ICN, Ghanaian patients are most at risk from the situation triggered by poor working conditions for health workers in Ghana.
Proofread by Edwina N.K Quarcoo, journalist and copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
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Source: YEN.com.gh
