The bus with the patients
Psychiatric nurses at the Accra Psychiatric Hospital who for the past weeks have been on strike for lack of logistics to run the facility have called off the industrial action.
The nurses were seen going about their duties at the health facility when DAILY GUIDE visited the hospital yesterday morning.
However, their services did not include the out-patient department (OPD) as a result of the ongoing nationwide strike by the Ghana Registered Nurses & Midwives Association (GRNMA).
Patients who came for review were seen at the OPD waiting for their turn to see the doctors without any assistance from nurses.
Jamila Hussein, chairperson of the nurses group at the psychiatric hospital, speaking with DAILY GUIDE, disclosed that “the immediate things we need for our work has been provided so that is why we are here. But we are at the wards because our mother body (GRNMA) has declared strike at the OPDs.”
The Ministry of Health last week presented GH¢300,000 and medications amounting to GH¢100,000 to the health facility as part of measures to mitigate the plight of the hospital which has been cash strapped for years.
The Public Relations Unit of the Ministry of Health has also announced the release of GH¢1million to the facility.
Ms Hussein also stated that the health authority has assured the group of finding a solution to the other concerns raised, including their risk allowance, workman pay policy and insurance.
“They have shown as the paper work that has been done and now it is with the Ministry of Finance to take it to parliament. The health minister has assured us of its implementation by early next year,” she said.
Discharge Of Patients
Meanwhile, the repatriation of mental health patients who could be managed at home is ongoing at the facility.
Sirina Iddrisu-Ollennu, a member of the PR team, said about 10 families had come for their relatives since the exercise started last week.
“Decongestion is part of what we do regularly but the main reason is that they are well enough to be managed at home,” she said.
She said the activity is also to encourage the new system of mental healthcare which is non-institutional.
Madam Iddrisu-Ollennu pointed out that after they are taken home, community health nurses follow up to ensure they are properly managed and also link them with the closest health facilities that have psychiatric units.
“The doctors are still examining them and those who are not ready to leave will be made to stay while their condition is being managed,” she added.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri