Vice Chair of the Parliamentary Health Committee, Dr. Sebastian Sandaare, has expressed strong support for the provision of uniform allowances to nurses and midwives in Ghana, stating it is a justified and essential part of their conditions of service.
Speaking on TV3’s Hot Issues with Keminni Amanor on Sunday, June 22, Dr. Sandaare emphasized that the allowance is part of a broader motivational package aimed at boosting morale among health professionals.
“Sometimes it is the corporate policy to motivate workers—apart from your salary, this is the extra mile we can go just to motivate the staff,” he explained. “So, I believe it is in that line that government has taken it up.”
He recalled that even over a decade ago, while practicing as a medical doctor, uniform allowances were a topic of discussion and concern. He said it reflects the state’s recognition of nurses’ critical role in the healthcare system and the need to support them beyond basic wages.
Dr. Sandaare further stated that offering such incentives can play a key role in curbing the brain drain of health workers who leave Ghana in search of better opportunities abroad.
“If getting uniforms for our nurses and midwives is one of the things to make them motivated to stay in this country and work, I will go for it,” he said. “There is justification and government is working hard to have a motivated workforce.”
He called on the government to prioritize and implement measures within its financial capacity to ensure that health workers are supported adequately.
The comments come after nurses and midwives resumed work following a recent strike action demanding the implementation of agreed conditions of service, which includes the payment of uniform allowances. The agreement was initially reached in May 2024 but had seen delays in execution.
As the health sector continues to face challenges in retaining skilled professionals, policymakers like Dr. Sandaare believe targeted motivational policies such as uniform allowances could help stabilize the workforce and improve healthcare delivery nationwide.