Civil Society Organizations Urge Government to Resolve Nurses and Midwives Strike to Save Lives

Strategic Insights -

Civil society organizations (CSOs) in Ghana's health sector have called on the government to take immediate action to resolve the nationwide strike by nurses and midwives, warning that the strike is causing a growing humanitarian and public health crisis. The organizations, including the Ghana NCD Alliance and the Vision for Accelerated Sustainable Development, Ghana, say that the strike is affecting individuals, particularly those living with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and other chronic health conditions.

Key Takeaways:

  • The strike has disrupted vital services such as dialysis, cancer treatment, hypertension management, diabetes care, asthma management, cardiovascular disease interventions, stroke rehabilitation, and mental health services across the country.
  • Over 2,000 patients, including those with NCDs, have been left vulnerable and at risk of preventable complications, disability, or even death due to the strike.
  • The burden of care is shifting to private facilities, leading to skyrocketing out-of-pocket costs for patients, further entrenching inequality in access to healthcare.
  • The strike threatens Ghana's long-term health commitments, including the goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage by 2030, and progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • CSOs have called on all political parties to desist from politicizing the crisis and instead confront it as a national emergency.
  • Stakeholders must prioritize patients and consider emergency subsidy schemes or health fund relief mechanisms to support NCD patients.

Statistics:

  • The strike has entered its second week.
  • Over 2,000 patients have been left vulnerable and at risk of preventable complications, disability, or even death due to the strike.
  • The burden of care is shifting to private facilities, with a 500% increase in out-of-pocket costs for patients.

Sources:

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Ghana News Agency: "Civil society organisations demand resolution of nurses’ strike" (June 12, 2025)