5 nurses die of coronavirus, over 800 infected - GRNMA

Five nurses and midwives have died from COVID-19 since its outbreak in Ghana in March last year, the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has disclosed.

According to the Association, over 800 nurses have also contracted the disease, some of whom have recovered and returned to work.

The General Secretary of the GRNMA David Tenkorang-Twum speaking to Francis Abban speaking to StarrFM on Monday, said a lot more effort is needed by government to ensure the safety of health professionals.

“I can confirm that we have lost 2 midwives and 3 nurses. As of August last year, 840 of our people got infected but they have recovered and returned to work. It’s becoming overwhelming because before we used to detect the virus early but with the new variant, people are reporting very sick and you can’t send them home,” he said.

He also called on government to restore the incentives offered to health workers during the peak of infections last year.

“When it comes to motivation, we’re asking gov’t to bring back the tax waiver that was given to health workers. I think it was motivating enough”.

READ ALSO:

Nana Addo reimposes ban on public gatherings; no more funerals, weddings, concerts

Meanwhile, the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has lauded President Akufo-Addo for considering their concerns in issuing new directives to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

According to the Association, the new instructions spelt out by the President will be pivotal in slowing the tide in COVID-19 cases in the country.

In an interview on Accra based Joy News, Dr Justice Yankson, the General Secretary of the GMA said the president captured the concerns of the association its address.

He noted that the recommendations by the GMA were considered in the decision by the government.

He also appealed to the public to adhere to the safety protocols to prevent the possibility of another lockdown.