95% of Ghanaian nurses & midwives say their salaries are insufficient – UPNMG Study

A recent survey conducted by the Union of Professional Nurses and Midwives, Ghana (UPNMG) has revealed that the vast majority of nurses and midwives in the country, an overwhelming 94.7%, find their salaries insufficient to meet their financial needs. This study, published in the Asian Journal of Economics, Business and Accounting, surveyed 1,406 healthcare professionals across Northern and Southern Ghana.

The financial pressures faced by these essential healthcare workers are far-reaching. A notable 85.6% of respondents had to resort to taking loans, while 83.3% admitted to experiencing financial difficulties regularly or always. The burden extends beyond meeting daily expenses; family responsibilities (80%) and housing costs (74.4%) were identified as significant financial stressors.

Moreover, 87.5% of the respondents cited the high cost of living as a major financial challenge. These stark statistics highlight the precarious financial situation many healthcare professionals find themselves in, despite their crucial role in delivering vital healthcare services throughout Ghana.

Notably, 64.9% of those surveyed reported using budgeting or cost-cutting measures to cope with their financial circumstances. However, a significant number of nurses and midwives (47.6%) resorted to borrowing from friends or family to meet their financial obligations. This finding underscores the urgent need for employers, government authorities, and other stakeholders to reassess the existing remuneration and welfare arrangements to ensure they align with the real economic conditions faced by nurses and midwives in Ghana.