Is This What Our Health System Has Become? Kwadwo Poku Reacts to Ridge Hospital Violence

The Executive Director of the Institute for Energy Policies and Research (INSTEPR), Kwadwo Poku, has added his voice to the ongoing debate surrounding the recent Ridge Hospital incident, stressing the importance of professionalism in the nursing field while condemning the attack on health workers.

This comes after a viral video showed some relatives of an accident victim physically assaulting staff at the emergency ward of the Greater Accra Regional Hospital. The shocking incident generated public outrage and compelled the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh , to visit the facility. During his visit, the Minister assured workers of improved security measures and revealed that both internal and police investigations had been launched.

Mr. Poku, while condemning the violence, also drew attention to what he described as a worrying trend among sections of the nursing workforce. He observed that a number of individuals enter the profession not out of passion for patient care, but rather because of the financial security and stable employment the career offers.

“It seems that many people in nursing today choose the job for the incentives and job security, not out of genuine dedication to serve patients,” he said.

According to him, such attitudes threaten the standards and reputation of the profession. He pointed to instances where nurses pay more attention to personal activities, like using their phones, even in critical moments when patients urgently need medical attention.

Meanwhile, security agencies have confirmed that arrests have been made in connection with the assault, although the identities of those involved have not yet been disclosed. The Ministry of Health has also constituted a committee to investigate the matter, with findings expected to be presented by August 25.