Over 3,500 Nurses Have Left Ghana Since 2020 According to Ghana Health Service

Recent reports from the Ghana Health Service (GHS) have revealed a significant exodus of 3,688 healthcare professionals from the country over the past three years. This departure encompasses both critical caregivers and professionals, a trend largely attributed to dissatisfaction with working conditions in Ghana.

Among the professionals leaving, many have pointed to inadequate working conditions within the country as the primary motivation for seeking better prospects overseas. In response to this concerning trend, the Ghana Health Service has taken steps to address the issue. They initiated a revision, doubling the study leave for unprofessional nurses since 2021. Anticipating a resolution, they expect most of these nurses to qualify and potentially fill the created gaps by the middle of the following year.

During a debate on the Health Ministry’s 2024 budget, Majority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, emphasized the urgency for the government to take action. He suggested an increase in remuneration for nurses as a potential solution to stem the tide of departures. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu stressed the need for a thorough audit of departing nurses to assess the actual deficit and ensure proper employment to fill the gaps left by their exit.

The departure of healthcare workers, while indicating dissatisfaction with current conditions, raises concerns about the strain it puts on the healthcare system. The GHS, along with parliamentary leaders, aims to find viable solutions to retain and attract skilled professionals within the country’s healthcare sector.