Dr Braimah Baba Abubakari, Upper East Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has urged nurses to renew their commitment to professional development, compassion, and clinical excellence in response to increasing public expectations.
He emphasized that genuine empowerment within the nursing profession is anchored in continuous learning, self-improvement, and strict adherence to professional ethics.
According to him, the call comes at a critical time, as the expansion of free healthcare services across the country continues to raise expectations of healthcare professionals.“In an era of free and expanded healthcare, the public’s expectations of us will be higher than ever,” Dr Abubakari stated in a speech delivered on his behalf by Dr Joseph Kojo Tambil, Medical Director of the Upper East Regional Hospital, during the launch of the International Nurses Week celebration.
The event, organized by the Upper East Regional Chapter of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), was held under the theme: “Our Nurses, Our Future: Empowered Nurses Save Lives.”The programme attracted nurses and midwives, nursing tutors, university lecturers, staff of health training institutions, retired nurses and midwives, and representatives of sister labour unions.Addressing the region’s nursing workforce,
Dr Abubakari called for high professionalism and continued dedication to ensure that nurses meet growing public needs with care and empathy.“Let your hands heal and let your voice comfort,” he urged.Beyond the call for professional growth, the Regional Director appealed to stakeholders across the health sector to actively support, protect, and invest in the nursing workforce.
He stressed that strengthening frontline healthcare workers is not only beneficial to the health sector, but also essential to national development.“When we empower a nurse, we do not just improve a hospital; we secure the future of our nation,” he said.Dr Abubakari further assured nurses that the Regional Health Directorate remains committed to improving their welfare and working conditions.“We are undertaking strong advocacy for the deployment of more staff to the region to lessen your workload,” he said.He also disclosed that the Directorate is establishing an Employee Assistance Programme at the Upper East Regional Hospital as part of a flagship GHS initiative aimed at addressing psychological and mental health challenges among staff, including burnout and its related complications.In addition, he announced plans to establish staff clinicsin all district hospitals and the Regional Hospital to ensure that healthcare workers receive timely medical attention whenever needed.“We are setting up staff clinics in all district hospitals and the Regional Hospital to take care of our staff whenever they require medical attention,” he noted.
Dr Abubakari expressed appreciation to the region’s nurses and midwives, describing them as “gallant heroes” for their dedication and invaluable contribution to healthcare delivery. He then wished all participants a successful celebration.
Source: Public Relations Unit, Upper East Regional Health Directorate