The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has strongly condemned the physical assault of a senior staff midwife by relatives of a patient at the Community 22 Polyclinic, describing the incident as a criminal act that highlights the growing threat of violence against healthcare professionals.
In a press statement issued on June 5, 2026, and signed by GRNMA President, Mrs. Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo, and General Secretary, Dr. David Tenkorang-Twum, the association expressed grave concern over reports that the midwife was attacked while carrying out her professional duties at the facility.
The association said the incident was unacceptable and must serve as a wake-up call for healthcare authorities and policymakers to take decisive action to protect nurses and midwives across the country.
“We unequivocally condemn this uncultured, unacceptable, and criminal act of violence against a healthcare professional whose only duty was to provide care and support to patients and their families,” the statement said.
According to the GRNMA, no nurse, midwife, or healthcare worker should be subjected to intimidation, threats, harassment, or physical assault while delivering essential healthcare services.
The association stressed that healthcare facilities should remain safe environments dedicated to healing and care, rather than places where health workers fear for their safety and lives.
The GRNMA has called on the management of Community 22 Polyclinic to urgently strengthen security arrangements within the facility to prevent future attacks on staff.
The association outlined several measures it believes should be implemented immediately, including enhanced security presence at critical service points, strict visitor management systems, improved access control procedures, and the installation and maintenance of surveillance cameras.
It also urged hospital authorities to establish rapid response mechanisms for incidents involving violence against healthcare workers, conduct regular security risk assessments, and provide adequate protection measures for staff.
Additionally, the association called for the creation of effective reporting and support systems for victims of workplace violence, as well as the imposition of strong sanctions against perpetrators.
The GRNMA warned that violence against nurses and midwives is becoming an increasing threat that requires urgent national attention.
The association therefore called on the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service, the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), teaching hospitals, and other health sector institutions to prioritize the safety and security of healthcare workers.
Among its demands is the development and enforcement of a comprehensive national policy aimed at preventing workplace violence in healthcare settings.
The association also urged greater investment in security infrastructure across health facilities nationwide.
The assault has also reignited calls for the government to ratify and implement the International Labour Organization’s Convention No. 190 on Violence and Harassment in the World of Work.
According to the GRNMA, the convention provides a comprehensive framework for preventing and addressing workplace violence and harassment, including in healthcare environments.
The association said ratifying the convention would demonstrate Ghana’s commitment to protecting workers from violence, abuse, intimidation, and harassment.
It consequently appealed to the government, Parliament, employers, labour unions, and other stakeholders to expedite efforts toward adopting and implementing the international labour standard.
The GRNMA further called on the Community 22 Police Station and the Ghana Police Service to treat the case with the seriousness it deserves by conducting swift investigations and ensuring that all individuals involved in the assault are identified, arrested, and prosecuted.
The association believes a prompt and decisive response from law enforcement agencies will not only deliver justice for the affected midwife but also serve as a deterrent against future attacks on healthcare workers.
The association also appealed to members of the public to refrain from acts of aggression, threats, and violence against nurses and midwives.
It noted that healthcare professionals often work under extremely challenging conditions and make significant personal sacrifices to save lives and provide quality care.
The GRNMA emphasized that frustrations or misunderstandings should never be resolved through violence and encouraged the public to use established complaint and grievance procedures whenever concerns arise.
Addressing nurses and midwives across the country, the association acknowledged the anger and concern generated by the incident but urged members to remain calm, professional, and law-abiding while investigations continue.
The GRNMA reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing justice for the assaulted midwife and advocating stronger measures to guarantee the safety, dignity, and security of healthcare workers in all healthcare facilities.
“An attack on one nurse or midwife is an attack on the entire nursing and midwifery profession,” the statement declared.
The association pledged to continue standing united in defending the rights, safety, and dignity of nurses and midwives across the country while pushing for reforms that will make healthcare facilities safer for both workers and patients.
By 1960news.com
