The National Council of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has announced a series of activities to express their dissatisfaction with the recent increase in the cost of verification fees for nurses.

The cost of foreign verification has been raised from an initial 550 Ghana cedis to GHS 3,000, representing a 445.45% increase. Despite calls for the Health Ministry and the Nurses and Midwives Council to reconsider the cost, no action has been taken.

As a result, the nurses' leadership has outlined a plan of action from March 22 to April 3, 2024, to protest against the new fees.

Starting from March 22 to 27, nurses and midwives across the country will wear red bands on their departments and wards while also wearing head and armbands in protest.

A major press conference is scheduled for March 27, 2024, followed by the withdrawal of outpatient department services from March 28 to April 2, 2024.

If their demands are not met, the health workers intend to escalate their actions by fully withdrawing all services, including in-patient care, on April 3, 2024.

The group, led by National President Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo, stated that despite writing letters to the Health Ministry and the nurses and midwives council to reconsider the fee hike, they have not received any acknowledgment.

The Council says they can only contain a maximum of 25% increment on the previous cost given the current economic difficulties.

“We wish to reiterate that, considering the current economic challenges and the fact that our salaries are not the best, nurses and midwives of Ghana can only contain a maximum of 25% increment which in our view can be borne by all grades of nurses and midwives,” the statement read.

The council entreated the nurses and midwives to oblige with the directive as it is the civic right.

“All nurses and midwives are expected to fully participate in the above-stated actions because it is their right to do so and therefore under no circumstance should they be threatened or coerced,” the statement said.

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PROCEDURE AND REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTRATION

Upon passing the Council’s licensing examination, a Nurse Assistant, Nurse or Midwife is required to go through the following procedure to be registered to practice legally in the country:

Go to the Council’s Regional Office (the Region in which your institution of training is located).

Present your Results Slip (Letter from the Council indicating that you have passed the licensing examination). You will be required to complete a Registration Form and pay a non-refundable Registration Fee.

You will be issued with:

A Log Book for rotation.

Provisional License and Code for National Service registration.

After completing the Rotation/National Service, you would be required to return the Log Book and Provisional License to the Regional Office where you registered and await your PIN and Certificate of Registration.

The Council issues Professional Identification Numbers (PIN) to Nurses and Midwives upon completion of the Registration process. Nurse Assistants are also issued with Auxiliary Identification Number (AIN) after registration.

Registration of Foreign-Trained Nurses and Midwives (Permanent):Foreign-trained Nurse Assistants, Nurses and Midwives who wish to practice in the country would be required to pass a Licensing Examination and satisfy other requirements before they are registered.Requirements:1. Transcript of training2. Three (3) passport-sized photographs3. A copy of Birth Certificate4. Photocopies of Professional Certificates (original copy to be presented for inspection)5. Marriage certificate where applicable6. Two (2) testimonials from previous/current employers where you have practiced for at least one year7. Copy of last appointment letter8. Verification of registration from the original Council/Board.9. Copy of certificate of proficiency in English from approved school of languages.Upon fulfilling all eligibility requirements, applicants are required to sit for a written examination. The fee for the examination is …..? The amount is subject to review from time to time. The examination is organized twice a year that is, June and December.After the written examination successful candidates will:1. Complete Registration Forms and pay a fee of $ 125 or its Ghana cedi equivalent to the Council.2. Undergo a three- month practical orientation programme in a Teaching, Regional or any hospital accredited by the Council.3. Be registered to practice based on satisfactory performance during the practical orientation programme.A provisional license for newly qualified foreign trained Nurses and Midwives would attract a fee of $ 125 or its Ghana cedi equivalent.NB:Documents which are in Languages other than English should be translated into English with a copy of the document in the original language attached to it.