Health Minister Warns ‘Rude and Unprofessional’ Nurses to Shape Up or Leave

In a stern address, Ghana’s Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akando, has called on nurses and healthcare workers exhibiting rude and unprofessional behavior to either improve their conduct or leave the profession.

His remarks were made during a cholera sensitization program at the Winneba Government Hospital on Friday, February 15.

The Minister expressed concern over the damaging impact that unprofessional behavior is having on patients, especially the elderly, who may avoid seeking medical care due to fear of being mistreated.

While acknowledging the dedication and compassion of most healthcare workers, Akando singled out a few individuals whose actions he described as “bad nuts” tarnishing the reputation of the entire profession.

“We have fantastic and very professional health workers, but there are a few bad nuts among you, especially in the way some of you handle patients,” the minister said.

“Sometimes, you will be surprised to hear that someone may be critically ill, especially the elderly.

If you ask them to go to the hospital, they will say the nurse will insult me or shout at me.”

Akando emphasized that no matter the level of provocation, healthcare workers must maintain a high standard of professionalism.

He appealed to the “few bad nuts” to reconsider their approach, underscoring that mistreatment of patients would not be tolerated. “Irrespective of the level of provocation, we expect you to be very professional. I will take these matters seriously,” he asserted.

The Minister also pointed out that many public healthcare facilities have seen a significant decline in patient attendance, with some people preferring private healthcare due to their negative experiences at government hospitals.

This trend, Akando said, is directly tied to how patients are treated by healthcare workers.

“It’s a fact, and we shouldn’t cover it. We must expose it to ensure the right thing is done,” he said. “

Some districts have records of lower attendance at government facilities because of how patients are handled.”

To address the issue, Akando hinted at the possibility of stricter enforcement of disciplinary actions against those found guilty of misconduct, while also vowing to improve working conditions for healthcare workers to reduce frustrations that may contribute to poor behavior.

The Minister’s warning serves as a call for all healthcare workers to uphold the dignity of the profession and ensure that patients feel respected and comfortable when seeking medical attention.