The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the government, demanding the immediate arrest of Ralph Saint Williams, who is accused of physically assaulting two nurses on duty at the Ridge Hospital in Accra.
In a strongly worded statement, the association condemned what it described as a “barbaric attack” on its members and warned of dire consequences if swift action is not taken. According to GRNMA, the alleged assault has left the victims traumatized and highlights the growing risks healthcare workers face in the line of duty.
“Nurses and midwives play a critical role in sustaining the health system. Any attack on them is an attack on the very foundation of healthcare delivery in Ghana,” the statement read.
The association further accused authorities of dragging their feet in bringing the suspect to justice despite the seriousness of the incident. GRNMA insisted that failure to act within the given timeframe would compel its members nationwide to consider drastic measures, including a possible strike.
Reports indicate that the alleged incident occurred last week when Mr. Williams, believed to be a relative of a patient, confronted the nurses during a heated exchange that escalated into violence. The victims have since filed complaints with the police, but no arrest has yet been made.
Healthcare worker unions have in recent times raised alarm over the increasing cases of verbal and physical abuse against their members, often by patients or their relatives frustrated with delays in service delivery.
GRNMA is therefore urging the government, the Ghana Health Service, and law enforcement agencies to act decisively to protect nurses and midwives across the country.
“We will not sit idle while our members are brutalized in the course of saving lives. The state has a responsibility to guarantee their safety,” the association emphasized.
As of press time, neither the Ministry of Health nor the Ghana Police Service had issued an official response to the ultimatum.
Source – My News Ghana
