Malik Basintale, Deputy National Communication Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has criticized the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government for what he describes as the sidelining of nursing trainees.
According to him, many of these trainees have resorted to becoming online marketers, selling items such as wigs, bags, slippers, and Sobolo instead of practicing their profession in healthcare facilities.
During a campaign event ahead of the upcoming elections, Basintale assured nursing trainees of better opportunities under an NDC government. He pledged that, if elected, the NDC would ensure that all nursing trainees are posted to hospitals to serve in their professional capacity.
“Today, many nursing trainees have become online marketers. You are either selling wigs, bags, slippers, or even Sobolo. That is not your portion.
Your portion is to work in hospitals. Next year, the NDC government will post all nursing trainees,” Basintale stated confidently.
His comments come amidst growing dissatisfaction among members of the Union of Trainee Nurses and Midwives, Ghana (UTNMG). The group recently threatened to vote against the NPP in the upcoming elections, citing neglect and unfulfilled promises by the current administration.
In a press release signed by the Union’s President, Agbeti Robert Immortal, the trainee nurses expressed their frustration over the government’s failure to pay their allowances for 19 months. They described the situation as a significant hardship and an example of economic injustice.
“The government has consistently failed to deliver on its promises to pay our allowances, and this won’t be tolerated anymore.
Trainees will hold politicians accountable, and the outcome of this year’s election will reflect the government’s neglect of our welfare,” Agbeti declared.
He further accused the NPP government of betraying the trust of nursing trainees and demanded the immediate settlement of outstanding arrears.
The unresolved grievances and Basintale’s assurances have added a political dimension to the plight of nursing trainees, making their welfare a key topic in the electoral discourse.
